Citation

Beaulieu-Bonneau S, St-Onge F, Blackburn MC, Banville A, Paradis-Giroux AA, Ouellet MC. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2018; 33(3): E51-E60.

Affiliation

École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada (Drs Beaulieu-Bonneau and Ouellet, Mr St-Onge, and Mss Blackburn and Banville,); and Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Réadaptation et Intégration Sociale, Québec, Canada (Drs Beaulieu-Bonneau, Paradis-Giroux, and Ouellet and Mr St-Onge).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0000000000000341

PMID

28926484

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare individuals with mild and moderate/severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) on alcohol and drug use and substance use disorders before and in the first year post-TBI; to explore sociodemographic and injury-related variables associated with substance use disorders. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 225 adults hospitalized in a level I trauma center after TBI.

DESIGN: Observational cohort study with retrospective (pre-TBI) and prospective (4, 8, and 12 months post-TBI) assessments. MAIN MEASURES: Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

RESULTS: The percentage of participants using alcohol or drug declined shortly after the injury (4 months) but increased closer to preinjury levels by the end of the first year. Post-TBI alcohol use was higher after mild than moderate/severe TBI, but drug use was similar. About 11% of participants met criteria for a substance use disorder in the first year after TBI. Younger age, not being in a relationship, and suspected substance intoxication at the time of TBI were associated with the presence of a post-TBI substance use disorder.

CONCLUSION: Individuals with milder injuries return to alcohol use earlier than those with more severe injuries. Given that substance use may alter recovery, preventive recommendations and systematic follow-ups are warranted regardless of injury severity and access to rehabilitation.

Language: en