The two major forms of substance use disorders are abuse and dependence (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000). Both can result from the use of alcohol and illicit, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs. Both can cause serious problems, though dependence is considered more severe. A dependence diagnosis requires at least three of the following during a 12-month period: (1) tolerance to the substance; (2) withdrawal symptoms; (3) use of larger amounts than intended; (4) persistent desire or unsuccessful attempts to limit use; (5) considerable time spent obtaining, using, and recovering from the substance; (6) important activities abandoned or reduced; (7) continued use despite associated psychological or physical problems (APA, 2000). The literature suggests that substance use disorders are more prevalent among people with certain disabilities than among the general population (DiNitto & Webb, 2012). For example, higher rates of alcohol use disorders have been reported among hospitalized or rehabilitation patients with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, and alcohol use is often a cause of accidents that lead to these disabilities (DiNitto & Webb, 2012). The literature also suggests that one-fifth to one-half of people with visual impairments might have substance use problems (Koch, Nelipovich, & Sneed, 2002). However, the use of probability samples in these reports is lacking, and studies of why rates might be so high are virtually nonexistent. No simple explanation exists for why some people develop substance use disorders, though rates are higher for younger than older adults, for men more than for women, and for those with less than a college education, and are somewhat higher for Hispanics than blacks or whites (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2012). A common psychological risk factor for substance use disorders is having experienced physical or sexual abuse (Sun, 2012). Disability may also increase the risk of physical and sexual abuse (World Health Organization & The World Bank, 2011). Substances may be used to address trauma or negative emotions associated with physical and sexual abuse, and substance use may also make one more vulnerable to victimization (Sun, 2012). Other possible substance use disorder risk factors concern social integration (for instance, social support, employment). Questions have been raised as to whether risk increases when an individual has difficulty adjusting to a disability or faces discrimination or isolation because of the disability (DiNitto & Webb, 2012). Loneliness can be a major problem for people with severe visual impairment (Unite for Sight, n.d.), though family, friends, and caregivers reportedly encourage some people with disabilities to use alcohol or drugs (DiNitto & Webb, 2012). Individuals with disabilities may also have more than the average number of encounters with medical professionals, which could result in prescribed drug use and could potentially lead to substance use disorders. Use of one substance is often associated with other substance use. There is a strong relationship between cigarette smoking and alcohol and other substance use disorders (Lasser et al., 2000). Although tobacco can cause serious health problems, it does not usually produce the legal, job, or family problems that other substance use disorders may cause. It is also possible that substance use disorders may co-occur with other disabilities without any apparent causal connection, and could be due to other biological (for instance, genetic), psychological (for instance, personality), or social (for instance, cultural or community) factors. The current study examined whether substance dependence among people with visual impairments may be associated with disability-related characteristics, physical or sexual abuse history, tobacco use, and sociodemographic characteristics. The study is meant to add to the literature because substance use disorders can worsen problems like diabetes and glaucoma, hamper participation in rehabilitation and employment, impair family and social relationships, and result in a lower quality of life for people with visual impairments (DiNitto & Webb, 2012; Koch et al. …