Researchers from Monash Addiction Research Centre and Turning Point have identified high rates of complex trauma that may hinder treatment engagement among individuals utilizing supervised injecting facilities. These facilities offer crucial services, including overdose care, pain/trauma management, and access to medical care, housing assistance, mental health support, and opioid pharmacotherapy treatment. However, accessing these services can be challenging for those who need them.
A study, conducted as part of the Review of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room Trial, investigated the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) among attendees of the Melbourne Supervised Injecting Room. The research also examined how symptom severity relates to perceived barriers to alcohol and drug treatment.
Study Findings
- Ninety percent of respondents reported experiencing at least one traumatic life event.
- High rates of lifetime trauma exposure and current PTSD symptoms were identified among facility attendees.
- C-PTSD, characterized by difficulties in emotional regulation, self-worth, and interpersonal relationships, significantly affected how individuals engaged with services.
- Reported barriers to accessing facilities included concerns about privacy, time constraints, perceived limits on service availability, and negative past interactions with healthcare providers or the criminal justice system.
- Women, in particular, were more likely to report multiple traumatic experiences and perceive additional challenges such as heightened stigma, housing instability, and financial hardship.
Recommendations
To improve engagement with treatment, researchers suggest:
- Building trust and addressing basic needs like food and shelter.
- Conducting further research to understand the relationship between trauma and treatment barriers to inform tailored interventions and staff training programs.
- Distinguishing between PTSD and C-PTSD to guide decisions on service intensity, referral pathways, and effective wrap-around supports.
- Providing ongoing staff training informed by trauma-informed care principles and fostering a supportive environment for staff wellbeing to mitigate vicarious trauma and burnout risks.
The findings emphasize the importance of understanding the prevalence and impact of trauma when addressing substance use disorders, aiming to treat not just the substance use but also the underlying trauma.