Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Dual Diagnosis Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse / Part 3
Although early research on PTSD and substance abuse focused almost exclusively on male combat veterans whose substance abuse was connected to war trauma (Keane and Wolfe, 1990), research has expanded its focus to now include review of the clinical profile of women with PTSD and substance abuse issues (Najavits et al, 1997). Evidence indicates that women typically have different profiles from men (Najavits et al, 1997).
The combination of PTSD and substance abuse is more common among women than it is among men (Najavits et al, 1997). Two studies are cited by Najavits et al (1997) for having compared women and men with dual diagnosis PTSD and substance abuse. The findings indicated that women have more than two to nearly four times the rate of PTSD, with 43% of women versus 12% of men (Brown, Recupero, and Stout, 1995), and 30% of women versus 15% of men (Najavits et al, 1995) reported by the two studies respectively.
Other interesting findings presented by Najavits et al (1997) that warrant review here, were the range of life problems associated with women with dual diagnosis PTSD and substance abuse. Findings from several studies found that dual diagnosis PTSD and substance abuse victims have higher rates of a whole range of issues, including mood and anxiety disorders (Najavits et al, 1995; Brady et al, 1994; Kofoed et al, 1993), medical problems (Najavits et al, 1995), psychological symptoms (Najavits et al, 1995), inpatient admissions (Brown et al, 1995), and interpersonal problems (Najavits et al, 1995). They also demonstrated lower global level of functioning (Najavits et al, 1995), compliance with aftercare (Brady et al, 1994), and motivation for treatment (Najavits et al, 1995). Additionally, women with PTSD and substance abuse issues also report a range of co-occurring life problems such as homelessness (Smith, North, and Spitznagel, 1993; Paone, Chavkin, Willets, et al, 1992), loss of child custody (Fullilove, Kinscherff, and Fenton, 1992), maltreatment of their children (Famularo et al , 1992), and instance of battered woman syndrome (Levit, 1991).
According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse [NIDA] (2000), while men are more likely to have the opportunity to use drugs, men and women are equally likely to develop an addiction. Women and men do, however, differ in their vulnerability. While men are more likely to abuse marijuana and alcohol, women are more likely to become addicted or dependent on depressants and sedatives. Men and women are equally likely to become addicted to or dependent on cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, tobacco, and inhalants. Women are more likely to look to depress sleeplessness and anxiety with sedatives.
Of course, women are also more likely to be exposed to certain kinds of trauma (NIDA, 2000) and are at greater risk of revictimization in the context of substance abuse combined with PTSD.
The combination of PTSD and substance abuse is more common among women than it is among men (Najavits et al, 1997). Two studies are cited by Najavits et al (1997) for having compared women and men with dual diagnosis PTSD and substance abuse. The findings indicated that women have more than two to nearly four times the rate of PTSD, with 43% of women versus 12% of men (Brown, Recupero, and Stout, 1995), and 30% of women versus 15% of men (Najavits et al, 1995) reported by the two studies respectively.
Other interesting findings presented by Najavits et al (1997) that warrant review here, were the range of life problems associated with women with dual diagnosis PTSD and substance abuse. Findings from several studies found that dual diagnosis PTSD and substance abuse victims have higher rates of a whole range of issues, including mood and anxiety disorders (Najavits et al, 1995; Brady et al, 1994; Kofoed et al, 1993), medical problems (Najavits et al, 1995), psychological symptoms (Najavits et al, 1995), inpatient admissions (Brown et al, 1995), and interpersonal problems (Najavits et al, 1995). They also demonstrated lower global level of functioning (Najavits et al, 1995), compliance with aftercare (Brady et al, 1994), and motivation for treatment (Najavits et al, 1995). Additionally, women with PTSD and substance abuse issues also report a range of co-occurring life problems such as homelessness (Smith, North, and Spitznagel, 1993; Paone, Chavkin, Willets, et al, 1992), loss of child custody (Fullilove, Kinscherff, and Fenton, 1992), maltreatment of their children (Famularo et al , 1992), and instance of battered woman syndrome (Levit, 1991).
According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse [NIDA] (2000), while men are more likely to have the opportunity to use drugs, men and women are equally likely to develop an addiction. Women and men do, however, differ in their vulnerability. While men are more likely to abuse marijuana and alcohol, women are more likely to become addicted or dependent on depressants and sedatives. Men and women are equally likely to become addicted to or dependent on cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, tobacco, and inhalants. Women are more likely to look to depress sleeplessness and anxiety with sedatives.
Of course, women are also more likely to be exposed to certain kinds of trauma (NIDA, 2000) and are at greater risk of revictimization in the context of substance abuse combined with PTSD.
Labels: Dual-Diagnosis-Treatment, Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder
