Objective: This study explores changes in the use of alcohol and other substances by women in British Columbia as they moved into shelters for abused women and again three months later. We see this time as a key life transition, and potentially a rich opportunity for influencing women's substance use behaviour. The purpose of this study was to document changes in the level of use of alcohol and other substances and the levels of stress among women as they moved through shelters for abused women. (excerpt from the source)