What are the needs of alcohol dependent patients with a history of sexual violence? A case-register study in a metropolitan region.

TY - JOUR

T1 - What are the needs of alcohol dependent patients with a history of sexual violence? A case-register study in a metropolitan region.

AU - Schäfer, Ingo

AU - Verthein, Uwe

AU - Oechsler, Harald

AU - Deneke, Christiane

AU - Riedel-Heller, Steffi

AU - Martens, Marcus

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - BACKGROUND: Sexual violence has become increasingly apparent as a factor determining more complex treatment needs in patients with substance abuse. However, empirical evidence on specific patterns of differences between patients with and without a history of sexual violence is scarce. METHODS: Our sample consisted of alcohol dependent outpatients treated during a two-year period in a German metropolitan region. The analysis was based on a local case register and included all patients for whom information on lifetime sexual violence was available (N=1981; 33.4% female). In a case-control design, patients with a history of sexual violence were compared to patients without such experiences regarding a wide range of clinical and social factors indicative of potential needs. RESULTS: More than 35% of the female patients and 6% of the male patients reported a history of sexual violence. Victims differed from non-victims across a variety of domains, including psychiatric symptoms and suicide attempts, legal problems, financial and family problems, previous use of services, and need for additional services during the current treatment. Patient gender emerged as a significant moderator of several of these associations. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that an effort needs to be made to link addiction treatment, other parts of the health care system, and further institutions, such as family services and parts of the legal system, so that the complex needs of this vulnerable population can be met in an adequate way.

AB - BACKGROUND: Sexual violence has become increasingly apparent as a factor determining more complex treatment needs in patients with substance abuse. However, empirical evidence on specific patterns of differences between patients with and without a history of sexual violence is scarce. METHODS: Our sample consisted of alcohol dependent outpatients treated during a two-year period in a German metropolitan region. The analysis was based on a local case register and included all patients for whom information on lifetime sexual violence was available (N=1981; 33.4% female). In a case-control design, patients with a history of sexual violence were compared to patients without such experiences regarding a wide range of clinical and social factors indicative of potential needs. RESULTS: More than 35% of the female patients and 6% of the male patients reported a history of sexual violence. Victims differed from non-victims across a variety of domains, including psychiatric symptoms and suicide attempts, legal problems, financial and family problems, previous use of services, and need for additional services during the current treatment. Patient gender emerged as a significant moderator of several of these associations. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that an effort needs to be made to link addiction treatment, other parts of the health care system, and further institutions, such as family services and parts of the legal system, so that the complex needs of this vulnerable population can be met in an adequate way.

M3 - SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz

VL - 105

SP - 118

EP - 125

JO - DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN

JF - DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN

SN - 0376-8716

IS - 1-2

M1 - 1-2

ER -