Factors Associated with High-Risk Substance Use in Persons Receiving Psychiatric Treatment for a Primary Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder Diagnosis

Abstract

Objective

Although mental health disorders and high-risk substance use frequently co-occur, they are typically investigated independently. Clinical trials focused on treatment for individuals with trauma- and stressor-related disorders often exclude individuals with high-risk substance use. Little is also known about the role of gender in the relationship between trauma- and stressor-related disorders and high-risk substance use. We examined the relationship between trauma- and stressor-related disorders, high-risk substance use, and gender.

Methods

Using the Mental Health Client-Level Data dataset, we examined 15,772 adults receiving treatment in psychiatric hospitals in the United States from 2013 to 2019.

Results

A logistic regression model showed that for men, relative to women, having multiple mental health diagnoses and having a serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance was associated with greater odds of high-risk substance use.

Conclusions

This study underscores the value of comprehensive gender-centered treatment for people with trauma- and stressor-related disorders engaging in high-risk substance use.

Keywords:

• Comorbidity
• dual diagnosis
• gender
• serious mental illness
• high-risk substance use
• trauma- and stressor-related disorders
• treatment

Acknowledgments

Support for KES was provided by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH NIDA. Dr. Jordan Wingate, thank you for your excellent edits.

Disclosure statement

No relevant declarations. Dr. Blakey receives book royalties from the American Psychological Association. Dr. Dunn has consulted with Canopy Corporation, DemerRx, and Mind Med, Inc., in the past three years. Dr. Strickland has received research related funding from Canopy Growth Corporation and DynamiCare Health and consulting fees from Merck Corporation in the past 3 years.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) T32 training grant (T32DA007209, Bigelow/Strain/Weerts).