Gender differences in physical/sexual abuse in outpatients with SUDs: Correlates with medical and psychiatric symptoms.

Rates of physical and sexual abuse in substance use disorder (SUD) patients vary greatly across studies. In this ancillary investigation, the researchers examined prevalence rates in a diverse SUD sample and their medical/psychiatric correlates with the goal of informing future practice. Recruitment sites were six psychosocial and five methadone maintenance programs enrolled in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network protocol about the Job Seekers’ Workshop (protocol CTN-0020).

Participants (N=628) met DSM-IV criteria for drug abuse/dependence, reported recent unemployment/underemployment and completed at least 30 days in treatment at baseline assessment. Women with SUDs reported physical and sexual abuse at rates twice those of men. History of physical or sexual abuse was associated with increased rates of depression and trouble controlling violence in both genders. Men with physical abuse were more likely to present for treatment with a chronic medical problem. This constellation of problems suggests both men and women with histories of abuse would benefit from psychiatric evaluation and ancillary intervention services.

Related protocols: CTN-0020