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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 May 3;19(1):25.
doi: 10.1186/s13011-024-00608-8.

Trauma exposure across the lifespan among individuals engaged in treatment with medication for opioid use disorder: differences by gender, PTSD status, and chronic pain

Monique N Rodríguez #  1 , Dana D Colgan #  2   3 , Sarah Leyde  4 , Kenneth Pike  5 , Joseph O Merrill  4 , Cynthia J Price  6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Trauma exposure across the lifespan among individuals engaged in treatment with medication for opioid use disorder: differences by gender, PTSD status, and chronic pain

Monique N Rodríguez et al. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. .

Abstract

Background: There is little study of lifetime trauma exposure among individuals engaged in medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD). A multisite study provided the opportunity to examine the prevalence of lifetime trauma and differences by gender, PTSD status, and chronic pain.

Methods: A cross-sectional study examined baseline data from participants (N = 303) enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a mind-body intervention as an adjunct to MOUD. All participants were stabilized on MOUD. Measures included the Trauma Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ), the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5). Analyses involved descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and linear and logistic regression.

Results: Participants were self-identified as women (n = 157), men (n = 144), and non-binary (n = 2). Fifty-seven percent (n = 172) self-reported chronic pain, and 41% (n = 124) scored above the screening cut-off for PTSD. Women reported significantly more intimate partner violence (85%) vs 73%) and adult sexual assault (57% vs 13%), while men reported more physical assault (81% vs 61%) and witnessing trauma (66% vs 48%). Men and women experienced substantial childhood physical abuse, witnessed intimate partner violence as children, and reported an equivalent exposure to accidents as adults. The number of traumatic events predicted PTSD symptom severity and PTSD diagnostic status. Participants with chronic pain, compared to those without chronic pain, had significantly more traumatic events in childhood (85% vs 75%).

Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of lifetime trauma among people in MOUD. Results highlight the need for comprehensive assessment and mental health services to address trauma among those in MOUD treatment.

Trial registration: NCT04082637.

Keywords: Chronic pain; Gender differences; Medication treatment; Opioid use disorder; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Trauma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Logistic Regression Model Predicting PTSD Symptoms from Number of Traumtic Events
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Logistic Regression Model Predicting PTSD Status from Number of Traumatic Events
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