This study examined the correlation between childhood abuse and PDs in 228 drug-dependent female patients. 36% denied ever being abused, 50% reported emotional abuse, 42% reported somatic abuse, and 42% reported sexual abuse. (MCMI-III) scores >74 suggested PD, and scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) scales measuring somatic complaints, depression, anxiety, and PTSD were used as covariates. Emotional and somatic abusers were at increased risk for borderline, sexual abuse, and avoidance disorders and decreased risk for narcissistic disorders; emotional abusers were also less likely to be abusive and somatic abusers were more likely to be paranoid; sexual abusers were twice as likely to have antisocial disorders, but there was no correlation with borderline personality; and those who had multiple experiences of abuse had increased rates of severe PDs. Childhood trauma allows substance-dependent females to develop PDs and other psychological problems unrelated to and difficult to cope with drug dependence and related to childhood trauma.