title: The impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on treatment outcomes for heroin dependence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on 2-year treatment outcomes for heroin dependence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from a predominantly treatment seeking sample of 615 dependent heroin users who were followed-up at 3, 12 and 24 months (follow-up rates: 89%, 81% and 76%, respectively).
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcomes examined include treatment retention and exposure, substance use, general physical and mental health and employment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite improvements in substance use, PTSD was associated with continued physical (beta - 1.69, SE 0.61, P < 0.01) and mental disability (beta - 2.07, SE 0.66, P < 0.01), and reduced occupational functioning (OR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48-0.93) throughout the 2-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although conventional treatment services are successful in producing improvements in substance use and associated disability, the disability associated with PTSD remains. An intervention targeting both heroin dependence and PTSD may help to improve the outcomes of those with PTSD.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia. k.mills@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Mills
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; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome