Physical and sexual abuse among drug users contacting drug treatment services in Scotland

To date there has been no previous attempt to identify the extent of physical and sexual abuse among drug users in Scotland. Using data from a prospective study of the effectiveness of drug treatment agencies in Scotland this paper reports information on the extent of abuse among drug users coming forward for drug treatment. Overall nearly two thirds ( 61.9%) of female drug users contacting drug treatment services in Scotland report having been physically abused and over a third ( 35.5%) report having been sexually abused. Among male drug users contacting drug treatment services in Scotland just under a quarter ( 22.3%) report having been physically abused and 6.9% report having been sexually abused. On the basis of a multivariate analysis, past abuse was seen to be associated with a range of factors including: earlier age of onset of drug problems, having attempted suicide or self- harmed, having overdosed, and having paid or sold sex in the last 12 months. There is a clear need to ensure that drug treatment services within Scotland have access to staff trained in supporting those who have experienced abuse in the past and those who are currently within an abusive relationship.