@article{ref1,
title="Giving voice to women with substance use disorder: findings from expressive writing about trauma",
journal="Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)",
year="2024",
author="Jallo, Nancy and Kinser, Patricia A. and Eglovitch, Michelle and Worcman, Nicola and Webster, Parker and Alvanzo, Anika and Svikis, Dace and Meshberg-Cohen, Sarah",
volume="5",
number="1",
pages="223-230",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Trauma exposure is a risk factor for substance use disorders (SUD) among women. This study explores written content from an expressive writing (EW) intervention conducted within a residential SUD program to examine themes across trauma experiences and characterize their deep insight into such experiences. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study is a secondary data analysis of written content of the first writing session from women (n = 44) randomized to an EW condition while in residential SUD treatment. <br><br>RESULTS: Nearly all participants (72.7% African American; mean age 37.3 years) reported a significant trauma event (93.2%) with an average of 3.7 types of trauma events (54.4% had a current posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis). Four primary themes emerged: (1) trauma across the lifespan; (2) loss of safety; (3) altered self-concept; and (4) desire to move on. Most participants identified interpersonal trauma, especially at an early age, as well as parental neglect and physical and/or sexual violence. These themes indicate a pattern of interpersonal betrayal and paint a picture of trauma and the subsequent &quot;rippling effect&quot; such that the physical, mental, and emotional consequences were often as impactful as the event itself. However, there was also a desire to move on and gain a sense of normalcy. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of the written word and addressing underlying trauma in addiction treatment to facilitate healing and the woman's desire to move on.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2688-4844",
doi="10.1089/whr.2023.0173",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/whr.2023.0173"
}