Child abuse is extremely traumatic for a child, and many individuals who have been subject to abuse or neglect turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of coping with their pain. Individuals who have suffered from child abuse have a much greater chance of developing a substance abuse problem.
Many of the child abuse reports will uncover children who are severely emotionally scarred or who have developed psychological disorders. Child abuse statistics show that the large majority of individuals who are twenty years of age and have suffered from abuse have developed at least one mental illness or psychological disorder. These disorders may include post-traumatic stress disorder. These individuals are also more likely to commit violent crimes, to be arrested, and to serve time in prison, as well as inflict abuse and neglect upon their children.