Three Months Assessment of Co-Morbid Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Women with Substance Use Disorders in a Residential Treatment Center in Karaj

Previous studies show high rates of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women seeking treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). Comorbid PTSD can adversely influence and complicate the clinical profile of SUD patients, and have implications for management and treatment of patients with SUD.

To investigate the prevalence of comorbid PTSD, rate and nature of traumatic experiences in a sample of Iranian women with SUD, and to compare clinical profile of SUD patients with and without comorbid PTSD.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 72 patients in a residential treatment center in Karaj (Vardavard) since January to March 2017. Measures included the trauma history questionnaire (THQ), PTSD check list (PCL), brief symptom inventory (BSI), and addiction severity index (ASI). Data analysis was done through t-test and Chi-square test.

A total of 93.5% of patients reported at least one traumatic event in their life, and the prevalence of current PTSD was 30.5%. Women with PTSD/SUD showed significantly more psychological symptoms in seven dimension of BSI (P < 0.05). They also had significantly higher scores in several subscales of ASI including psychiatric (P < 0.001), family relationship (P < 0.003), as well as legal and substance/alcohol use (P < 0.05). Multiple drug use was also higher in women with SUD/PTSD (P < 0.01).

This study highlights the importance of considering trauma and PTSD in assessment and treatment plan of women with SUDs in general, and those with complicated clinical profile and psychiatric comorbidities in particular.