title: Post-traumatic stress disorder among people with heroin dependence in the Australian treatment outcome study (ATOS): prevalence and correlates.
abstract: This study documents the prevalence and correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Australian individuals with heroin dependence. Data was obtained from a cohort of 615 people dependent on heroin, 535 entering treatment for their heroin dependence and 80 individuals not in treatment. Trauma exposure (92%) and lifetime PTSD (41%) were highly prevalent. PTSD was prevalent across all treatment modalities, most commonly residential rehabilitation (52%) followed by maintenance therapies (42%), and detoxification (37%). The lowest prevalence was reported among those not in treatment (30%). Although men and women were equally likely to have experienced trauma (93% vs. 89%), women were more likely to develop lifetime PTSD (61% vs. 37%). For the large majority of those with PTSD, the condition was chronic (84%), with symptoms continuing for an average of 9.5 years. Those with PTSD had more extensive polydrug use histories, poorer general physical and mental health, and more extensive health service utilisation. It is concluded that PTSD is highly prevalent among individuals with heroin dependence, presenting a significant challenge to treatment providers.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia. k.mills@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lynskey
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teesson
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Darke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009517:New South Wales; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data