Prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in Maltese substance users attending services

Abstract

This study was conducted to fulfil the requirements of the Masters Degree in Addictive Behaviour, held by the Department of Addictive Behaviour, St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London. During this study I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with substance users in the various treatment settings in Malta, and evaluate the problem of childhood sexual abuse from individuals with first-hand experience. Furthermore, besides a broader understanding into the issue of childhood sexual abuse and other abuses in general, deeper evaluation and sharing of such traumatic incidents experienced by such individuals had its own merits - that of improving the relationship of the substance user with the interviewer, and thus easing the position between patient and therapist. The objectives of this study are mainly to evaluate the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in Maltese substance users attending services, with the aim of introducing strategic proposals within the existing system, which could be useful in the management of substance users and in the maintenance of a substance-free lifestyle.