Data from a subsample of the 1985 National Family Violence Survey, consisting of the 2,033 female respondents who were currently married or living in a male-female couple relationship were used as the basis of the analysis. The measure of alcohol and other drug abuse was based on several survey questions that inquired about the frequency of intoxication from drug and alcohol use within the past year. Violence was defined as "an act carried out with the intention or perceived intention of causing physical pain or injury to another person." The Violence Scale of the Conflict Tactics Scales was used to measure the incidence of violence. Violence was distinguished by "minor" and "severe" violence. The logistic analysis revealed that, of the 10 variables in the model, the most important for distinguishing abused from nonabused women were husbands' drug use, a history of paternal violence in womens' family of origin, husbands' drunkenness, low income, and wifes' drunkenness. Women who abused alcohol were more likely to be victims of minor marital violence, but female substance abuse of any type was not a significant factor in severe violence. 3 tables, 55 references. (Author abstract modified)