Substance use and coping with trauma-related symptoms
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of substance use as a perceived coping strategy in the persistence of trauma-related symptoms: A qualitative investigation in a sample of individuals seeking treatment for substance misuse.
IRAS ID
219326
Contact name
Kelly Jo Charge
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kings College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research shows that there is a strong link between being exposed to traumatic events and problems with substance use. Many people who have personally experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, may use drugs or alcohol to help them deal with symptoms related to the trauma, such as emotional pain, bad memories, poor sleep, guilt, shame or anxiety. It is thought that adopting such coping mechanisms may work to maintain trauma-related sypmtoms over time.
Through carrying out this research study, we are looking to learn more about how individuals account for their substance use in relation to coping with trauma-related symptoms, whether specific substance use is linked to management of particular symptoms, and how and why they think substances could be effective. The study will explore individual’s perceptions of the effectiveness of their substance use in coping with trauma-related symptoms, and the consequences in relation to the maintenance of their symptoms.
Eligible participants will be 18+, receiving treatment from a SLaM community drug and alcohol service for their problematic substance use, and have experienced, witnessed, or been repeatedly confronted with at least one traumatic event, at least one month prior to participation in the study; scoring at least 11/80 on the PDS-5 (Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5).
Potential participants will be identified by healthcare professionals at their drug and alcohol service, and will be administered a brief screening questionnaire to confirm eligibility. Those eligible will then be invited to take part in an interview at their drug and alcohol service, with the researcher, lasting around one hour.
The findings, based on participant’s narratives, will be used to enhance our understanding of the use of substances as a maladaptive coping mechanism, so we can work towards developing more effective psychological treatments for people with problems with substance use and experience of trauma.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0879
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion