This study examines the effects of batterer’s substance abuse on women’s reasons for returning to abusive relationships. A total of 186 battered women residing in an urban emergency domestic violence facility answered questions about their prior separations from their batterer, reasons (if any) why they returned to their batterer in the past, and reasons for considering returning to their batterer in the future. The results revealed that women battered by substance-abusing partners (SA) returned for two principal reasons: a change in the batterer’s substance abuse and the emotional (attachment) needs of the battered woman. Our findings showed that women abused by SA partners were significantly more likely to return if the batterer sought or obtained substance abuse treatment (p<.005) than were women battered by non-substance abusing (NSA) partners. Abused women were also more likely to return if their SA partner promised to change (p<.02). A more detailed comparison of the effect of type of substances (drugs vs. alcohol) on the battered women’s reasons for returning revealed that women battered by their drug abusing partner were more likely to return for emotional reasons, batterer promised to change, p<.01, batterer seemed sorry, p<.06, than were women battered by alcohol abusing partners. Earlier findings by these authors regarding battered women’s reasons for returning suggested that emotional attachment needs were the strongest factors associated with returning, followed by pragmatic, economic needs. The current findings suggest a change in order of the principal reasons battered women for returning to abusive relationships. They also indicate the importance of identifying domestic violence issues in substance abuse treatment programs.