Chemical dissociation in adults sexually victimized as children: alcohol and drug use in adult survivors.

Using a structured diagnostic interview, 65.9% of a clinical group of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse met DSM-III-R criteria for lifetime prevalence of drug or alcohol abuse or dependence. Only 4.6% of the total were still using drugs or alcohol at the time of testing. Childhood risk factors predicted those survivors who used drugs or alcohol with users coming from more chaotic home environments. The data supports the hypothesis that many adults sexually victimized as children use substances to "chemically dissociate."