How do traumatic experiences affect relapse in alcohol and substance use disorders?

Abstract

Objective: Relapses are very common in Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders (ASUD). Although traumatic experiences are more common in patients with ASUD than in the normal population, its relationship with relapses has not been adequately studied. Method: Fifty-one patients who were hospitalized diagnosed with ASUD according to DSM 5 were included in the study. Sociodemographic Data Form, Impact of Events Scale-R (IES-R), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), Addiction Profile Index (API), The Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) and Traumatic Experiences Checklist (TEC) were applied during their hospitalization. Patients were evaluated for relapse in the 6th month after discharge. Results: Relapse was observed in 60.8% of the participants. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups with and without relapse in terms of previous psychiatric treatment, number of traumatic events and severity, neglect, emotional and physical abuse, HAM-A and DES scores (p<0.05). In the logistic regression analysis, it was found that not having previously applied for psychiatric treatment significantly predicted early relapses. Discussion: According to the study results, the previous psychiatric treatment seems to be associated with lower relapse rates. In contrast, traumatic experiences, anxiety, and dissociative symptoms seem to be associated with higher relapse rates.