title: The feasibility and acceptability of a brief intervention for clients of substance use services experiencing symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.
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.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia. Electronic address: k.mills@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Philippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ewer
authors.affiliation: NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia; Northern Sydney Drug and Alcohol Service, Herbert St Clinic, Building 8, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: Glenys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dore
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teesson
authors.affiliation: NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kay-Lambkin
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia; Drug Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, King George V Building, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sannibale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Brief intervention; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychoeducation; Substance use; Trauma; Uncontrolled trial