ABSTRACT
Using clinical data mining (CDM) methodology, this study evaluates the relationship between childhood trauma and treatment outcomes among adults with substance use disorders. Data come from three substance use treatment facilities operating under the same agency using the same treatment program (N = 444). We examined the influence of childhood trauma, neglect, and school violence on substance use treatment completion and length of stay. We also looked at the connection between client’s family history of substance use and their experience of neglect and childhood trauma. We found that family history of substance use was significantly related to both neglect and childhood trauma. We also found that the number of weeks a client spent in treatment was associated treatment location. Furthermore, client age at admission and program completion were significantly related. Marital status, sex, and number of diagnoses significantly related to childhood trauma. These findings suggest that comprehensive assessments that focus on understanding client demographics and history of family substance use can guide effective intervention. Further research on how childhood trauma influences substance use treatment outcomes can also help improve treatment.
Disclosure statement
During the time of data collection and for a short time afterwards, the second author was paid by the organization where the data came from to provide clinical supervision and to consult on occasion. Further, the owner and president at the time of data collection were family relatives. The organization is now under new ownership. There is no financial gain or other incentive tied to the study reported in this manuscript. The study is independent of the clinical support he was paid to provide.