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Sexual Abuse and Addiction

Research shows that those with a history of childhood sexual abuse are at higher risk for substance abuse.

What is the connection between childhood sexual abuse and substance abuse? While not everyone who experiences sexual abuse as a child is destined to become addicted to drugs or alcohol, a new study shows that the rates of childhood sexual abuse are substantially higher for persons in substance abuse treatment facilities than for those in the general population.

According to research, men and women who report histories of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault and other forms of family violence are at a high risk for subsequent development of chemical dependency. Given the strong and lasting impact that sexual victimization has on adult emotional and social functioning, it is not unreasonable to expect victims to turn to alcohol or other drugs to deal with negative feelings and emotional issues.

Dual Diagnosis

In recent years, researchers have suggested that clients with dual diagnoses for substance abuse and sexual abuse be simultaneously treated for both conditions in order to maximize the treatment effectiveness and decrease the potential for substance abuse relapse. Treatment for co-occurring disorders is so important in these cases because failure to receive treatment for sexual abuse issues can lead to the premature withdrawal from substance abuse treatment.

Substance abuse can be a survival response to a past history of incest and symptomatic of underlying personal dysfunction, researchers assert. With that in mind, relapse should be viewed not only as a return to substance abuse, but as a possible indicator of the existence of underlying emotional issues that are a part of the etiology of addiction. For this reason, treatment professionals should become aware of the ways in which substance abuse and incest may overlap as treatment issues.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

If you or someone you love is battling a dual diagnosis, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

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