Adverse events in an integrated trauma-focused intervention for women in community substance abuse treatment.
A substantial number of women who enter substance abuse treatment have a history of trauma and meet criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fear regarding the extent to which PTSD treatment can evoke negative consequences remains a research question. This study explored adverse events related to the implementation of an integrated treatment for women with trauma and substance use disorder (Seeking Safety) compared with a nontrauma-focused intervention (Women's Health Education). Three hundred fifty-three women enrolled in community substance abuse treatment were randomized to 1 of the 2 study groups and monitored weekly for adverse events. There were no differences between the two intervention groups in the number of women reporting study-related adverse events (28 [9.6%] for the Seeking Safety group and 21[7.2%] for the Women's Health Education group). Implementing PTSD treatment in substance abuse treatment programs appears to be safe, with minimal impact on intervention-related adverse psychiatric and substance abuse symptoms. More research is needed on the efficacy of such interventions to improve outcomes of PTSD and substance use.
Killeen
Therese
T
Clinical Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29451, USA. killeent@musc.edu
Hien
Denise
D
Campbell
Aimee
A
Brown
Chanda
C
Hansen
Cheri
C
Jiang
Huiping
H
Kristman-Valente
Allison
A
Neuenfeldt
Christine
C
Rocz-de la Luz
Nicci
N
Sampson
Royce
R
Suarez-Morales
Lourdes
L
Wells
Elizabeth
E
Brigham
Greg
G
Nunes
Edward
E
D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000379:methods; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome