Violence, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder among women drug users

✍ Scribed by Mindy Thompson Fullilove; Robert E. Fullilove III; Michael Smith; Karen Winkler; Calvin Michael; Paula G. Panzer; Rodrick Wallace

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1993
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 588 KB
• Volume: 6
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0894-9867
• DOI: 10.1002/jts.2490060409

✦ Synopsis

In order to eramine the association between the experience of violent events, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder among women drug users, 105 women in treatment for addictive disorders were interviewed One hundred four of the study participants reported trauma in 1 or more of 14 categories of traumatic events, 59% of whom reported symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder. Among those with PTSD, 97% reported one or more violent traumas as compared with 73% of those without PTSD. The likelihood of PTSD was strong& associated with the number of violent traumas reported by a woman. Women in recovery from drug addiction are likeb to have a history of violent trauma and are at high risk forpost-traumatic stress disorder. Screening for PTSD among women with an addictive disorder should become part of the diagnostic and treatment routine.