Citation

Mills KL, Ewer P, Dore G, Teesson M, Baker A, Kay-Lambkin F, Sannibale C. Addict. Behav. 2014; 39(6): 1094-1099.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.03.013

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Trauma exposure and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among clients of substance use services. Existing treatments for these co-occurring conditions tend to be lengthy, treatment retention is relatively poor, and they require extensive training and clinical supervision. The aim of the present study was to conduct a preliminary examination of the feasibility and acceptability of a brief intervention for PTSD symptoms among individuals seeking substance use treatment.

METHODS: An uncontrolled open-label pilot study was conducted among 29 inpatients of a medicated detoxification unit in Sydney, Australia. All participants completed a baseline interview followed by the brief intervention. The intervention consists of a single, one-hour manualised session providing psychoeducation pertaining to common trauma reactions and symptom management. PTSD and substance use outcomes were assessed at 1-week, 1-month and 3-month post-intervention.

RESULTS: PTSD symptom severity (assessed using the Clinicians Administered PTSD Scale) decreased significantly from baseline to 1-week follow up (β - 10.87, 95%CI: - 19.75 to - 1.99) and again between the 1-week and 3-month follow-ups (β - 15.38, 95%CI: - 23.20 to - 7.57). Despite these reductions, the majority of participants continued to meet criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there was no change in participants' negative post-traumatic cognitions. Participants expressed high levels of satisfaction with the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: Brief psychoeducation for traumatised clients attending substance use services appears to be feasible, acceptable, and may be of some benefit in reducing PTSD symptoms. However, participants continued to experience symptoms at severe levels; thus, brief intervention may best be conceptualised as a "stepping stone" to further trauma treatment. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Adult; Female; Male; adult; Australia; Trauma; human; cognition; Severity of Illness Index; female; male; epidemiology; alcohol; Substance-Related Disorders; Comorbidity; Pilot Projects; Feasibility Studies; Substance use; pilot study; cannabis; substance use; drug use; suicide attempt; interview; Follow-Up Studies; comorbidity; disease severity; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; psychology; posttraumatic stress disorder; Life Change Events; Interview, Psychological; patient education; Psychoeducation; psychoeducation; article; life event; smoking; clinical article; rating scale; intravenous drug abuse; psychologic test; avoidance behavior; opiate; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; patient attitude; benzodiazepine derivative; child sexual abuse; follow up; diamorphine; drug dependence treatment; amphetamine derivative; drug detoxification; outcome assessment; structured interview; feasibility study; open study; Patient Education as Topic; procedures; statistics and numerical data; Brief intervention; severity of illness index; sexual assault; Clinicians Administered PTSD Scale; Post traumatic stress disorder; Uncontrolled trial