The relationship between previous trauma and alcohol and substance misuse in women

Abstract

Introduction

The association between previous trauma and the development of alcohol and substance misuse is well established, however, much of the research is focused on the association of PTSD with alcohol and substance misuse. This research will be focussing on trauma in general and its influence on the development of alcohol and substance misuse in women.

Objectives

The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between previous traumatic events and the development of alcohol and substance misuse in women.

Methods

This was a retrospective case note study of 146 female patients from a UK based detoxification and rehabilitation centre. Trauma history from patient files were audited, with the trauma experienced being assigned a category.

Results

Out of 146 women with alcohol and/or substance misuse, 132 (90%) had experienced a previous trauma. The types of trauma experienced include; domestic (53%), traumatic grief (36%), sexual abuse (35%), physical (15%), bullying (4%) and neglect (4%). These results show that women who suffer from alcohol/substance misuse are highly likely to have suffered a previous trauma.

Conclusions

The results from this study suggest that women who have suffered previous trauma are high risk for alcohol and substance misuse problems, therefore early intervention and a robust psychological support system should be provided to women who have a history of trauma. Furthermore in addition to addiction treatment and behaviour focused therapy already in place trauma focussed therapy may prove beneficial.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.