Analysis indicated a combination of physical abuse, sexual abuse, history of familial drug use, family violence, ethnicity, and a history of familial violence were significant in differentiating substance abusers from non-abusers. A separate analysis indicated that the significant variables grouped among three dimensions: violence, history of parental drug use, and ethnicity. Implications for a multidimensional approach to intervention are discussed. (Contains 29 references and 4 tables.) (ADT)