IntroductionRecent studies have shown that many people receiving alcohol and drug treatment may have been abused as children (Cohen and Densen-Gerber, 1982). Data collected from 178 patients seeking drug or alcohol treatment determined that 84% of patients had a history of abuse as children (ibid.). Young adults who are physically or sexually assaulted, who have witnessed violence, or who have family members with an alcohol or drug problem are at increased risk of substance abuse or dependence (Malinosky & Hansen, 1993; Duncan, Saunders, Kilpatrick, Hanson). and Resnick, 2010; Marcencko, Kemp and Larson, 2010). The purpose of this research is to determine whether children who are physically or emotionally abused as children will develop drug or alcohol habits or addictions as adults. The results are expected to establish a positive correlation between abused children and future drug habits that may form due to this past abuse. Surveys will be distributed to collect data; surveys will be given to 50 people at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in St. Catharines, Ontario. The limitations of this research that will affect the results are the very limited sample groups because the sample size of this research is only 50 students. Another limitation will be that students will not be willing to reveal whether they have been abused or have developed substance use problems. Sturmhöfel, 2001). Child abuse is a common type of violence associated with alcohol or drug use and abuse, either as a result of the abuse or as a causal factor (ibid). Ac...... middle of document ......es among low-income mothers. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 316-326. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1037/h0087853/abstract Orford, J. and Velleman, R. (2006). Offspring of parents with alcohol problems: Alcohol and drug use as young adults. British Journal of Addiction, 779-794. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1360-0443.1990.tb01691.x/abstract Widom, C. S., and Hiller-Sturmhöfel, S. (2001). Alcohol abuse as a risk factor and consequence of child maltreatment. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh25-1/52-57.pdf Wilsnack, S., Vogeltanz, N., Klassen, A., & Harris, T. (1997). Childhood sexual abuse and substance abuse among women: Results of a national survey. Retrieved from http://www.jsad.com/jsad/article/Childhood_Sexual_Abuse_and_Womens_Substance_Abuse_National_Survey_Finding/416.html