Strong Link Found Between Victimization and Substance Abuse

January 07,2013

Research conducted by the University of Illinois in Chicago revealed statistics that have a high correlation linking victimization and substance abuse...

Strong Link Found Between Victimization and Substance Abuse

Research conducted by the University of Illinois in Chicago revealed statistics that have a high correlation linking victimization and substance abuse. The study was conducted on nearly 35,000 people nation-wide. Four sexual orientation groups including heterosexual, gay or lesbian, bisexual and ˜not sure' were compared in victimization experiences of unwanted sexual activity, neglect, physical violence and assault with a weapon.

The research yielded results that sexual minority groups were more susceptible to experiencing victimization over their lifetimes. Lesbian and bisexual women were more than twice as likely as heterosexual women to report victimization. Three times as many lesbians as heterosexual women reported childhood sexual abuse and lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals also reported a greater number of victimization experiences as a whole than the heterosexual population.

One possible explanation for this œdisproportionality may be due to minority sexual groups being more willing to acknowledge and report experiences. One researcher commented that lesbians and gays ten to be more self-reflective and more likely to think about and report negative or stigmatizing life experiences where heterosexuals may not be as inclined to do so.

Gay men also reported high rates of victimization. About half of them reported any lifetime victimization. They reported significantly higher rates of childhood sexual abuse, childhood neglect, partner violence and assault with a weapon than heterosexual men.

However, regardless of sexual identity, women who reported two or more instances of victimization experiences had two to four times the prevalence of alcohol or drug dependence as women who reported no instances of victimization. The same model was followed closely in research of the men's point of view.

While sexual orientation of gays, lesbians and bisexuals does not have much correlation with substance abuse, it has become clear that victimization does. Many rehabilitation programs geared toward women specifically have specialized therapists who help women who have experienced rape, child molestation or even miscarriages; all of which can produce considerable stress and fuel an addiction. Male specific rehabilitation programs also have similar therapeutic specialties for the most prominent victimization occurrences that may have happened throughout their lifetime.

The simple aspect that rehabs have already been catering towards victimization paired with the information yielded from this research builds a strong case for the connection between victimization and substance abuse. The vast majority of rehabilitation cases have serious underlying mental stigmas that relate to sexual, physical and mental abuse that people have experienced in the past.

When considering sexual orientation in populations of people who have been admitted to rehabilitation presently or in the past, there is no differing statistics considering victimization. For those who have suffered substance abuse, just as many lesbians, gays, bisexual and heterosexual individuals report suffering from ongoing or previous victimization.

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Florida Center for Recovery offers gender-specific programs to provide a safe and comfortable haven where women can focus on the process of healing and recovery. Our women's addiction treatment program is both gender- and trauma-specific. Research indicates that 70% of women in substance abuse treatment have histories of physical or sexual abuse. Our therapeutic interventions address domestic violence, sexual and physical abuse, and relationship and parenting issues. Addressing a full range of women's needs, the women's addiction treatment program combines clinical treatment, clinical support, and community support services. These services are enhanced with case management, transportation, and referrals for services in the community as well as recovery support and relapse prevention.

Florida Center for Recovery “ Addiction Treatment Center: 1-800-960-5041

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MARK KILLAR

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