TY - JOUR PY - 2024// TI - Giving voice to women with substance use disorder: findings from expressive writing about trauma JO - Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.) A1 - Jallo, Nancy A1 - Kinser, Patricia A. A1 - Eglovitch, Michelle A1 - Worcman, Nicola A1 - Webster, Parker A1 - Alvanzo, Anika A1 - Svikis, Dace A1 - Meshberg-Cohen, Sarah SP - 223 EP - 230 VL - 5 IS - 1 N2 - 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.

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.

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 "rippling effect" 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.

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.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 2688-4844 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/whr.2023.0173 ID - ref1 ER -