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Clinical characteristics of adolescents and emerging adults presenting for integrated posttraumatic stress and substance use treatment

Peach, Natalie ; Kihas, Ivana ; Isik, Ashling ; Cassar, Joanne ; Barrett, Emma ; Cobham, Vanessa ; Back, Sudie ; Perrin, Sean LU orcid ; Bendall, Sarah and Brady, Kathleen , et al. (2024) In Advances in Dual Diagnosis
Abstract
Adolescence and emerging adulthood are key developmental stages with high risk for trauma exposure and the development of mental and substance use disorders (SUDs). The aim of this study was to compare the clinical profiles of adolescents (aged 12-17 years) and emerging adults (aged 18-25 years) presenting for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and SUD. Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected from the baseline assessment of individuals (n = 55) taking part in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the efficacy of an integrated psychological therapy for co-occurring PTSD and SUDs (PTSD+SUD) in young people.
Both age groups demonstrated complex and severe clinical profiles, including high frequency trauma... (More)
Adolescence and emerging adulthood are key developmental stages with high risk for trauma exposure and the development of mental and substance use disorders (SUDs). The aim of this study was to compare the clinical profiles of adolescents (aged 12-17 years) and emerging adults (aged 18-25 years) presenting for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and SUD. Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected from the baseline assessment of individuals (n = 55) taking part in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the efficacy of an integrated psychological therapy for co-occurring PTSD and SUDs (PTSD+SUD) in young people.
Both age groups demonstrated complex and severe clinical profiles, including high frequency trauma exposure, and very poor mental health reflected on measures of PTSD, SUD, suicidality, and domains of social, emotional, behavioral and family functioning. There were few differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups. Similarity between the two groups suggests that the complex problems seen in emerging adults with PTSD+SUD are likely to have had their onset in adolescence or earlier, and to have been present for several years by the time individuals present for treatment. This is the first study to compare the demographic and clinical profiles of adolescents and emerging adults with PTSD+SUD. These findings yield important implications for practice and policy for this vulnerable group. Evidence-based prevention and early intervention approaches and access to care are critical. Alongside trauma-focused treatment, there is a critical need for integrated, trauma-informed approaches specifically tailored to young people with PTSD+SUD. (Less)
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
in press
subject
keywords
Substance use disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Integrated Treatment, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, adolecents, young adults, clinical characteristics
in
Advances in Dual Diagnosis
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
1757-0972
DOI
10.1108/ADD-11-2023-0021
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ed64f25d-9b18-4838-a62d-9efcd474a15c
date added to LUP
2024-04-07 12:58:57
date last changed
2024-04-08 07:31:23
@article{ed64f25d-9b18-4838-a62d-9efcd474a15c,
  abstract     = {{Adolescence and emerging adulthood are key developmental stages with high risk for trauma exposure and the development of mental and substance use disorders (SUDs). The aim of this study was to compare the clinical profiles of adolescents (aged 12-17 years) and emerging adults (aged 18-25 years) presenting for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and SUD. Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected from the baseline assessment of individuals (n = 55) taking part in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the efficacy of an integrated psychological therapy for co-occurring PTSD and SUDs (PTSD+SUD) in young people.<br/>Both age groups demonstrated complex and severe clinical profiles, including high frequency trauma exposure, and very poor mental health reflected on measures of PTSD, SUD, suicidality, and domains of social, emotional, behavioral and family functioning. There were few differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups. Similarity between the two groups suggests that the complex problems seen in emerging adults with PTSD+SUD are likely to have had their onset in adolescence or earlier, and to have been present for several years by the time individuals present for treatment. This is the first study to compare the demographic and clinical profiles of adolescents and emerging adults with PTSD+SUD. These findings yield important implications for practice and policy for this vulnerable group. Evidence-based prevention and early intervention approaches and access to care are critical. Alongside trauma-focused treatment, there is a critical need for integrated, trauma-informed approaches specifically tailored to young people with PTSD+SUD.}},
  author       = {{Peach, Natalie and Kihas, Ivana and Isik, Ashling and Cassar, Joanne and Barrett, Emma and Cobham, Vanessa and Back, Sudie and Perrin, Sean and Bendall, Sarah and Brady, Kathleen and Ross, Joanne and Teeson, Maree and Bezzina, Louise and Dobinson, Katherine and Schollar-Root, Olivia and Milne, Bronwyn and Mills, Katherine}},
  issn         = {{1757-0972}},
  keywords     = {{Substance use disorders; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Integrated Treatment; Prolonged Exposure Therapy; adolecents; young adults; clinical characteristics}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{02}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{Advances in Dual Diagnosis}},
  title        = {{Clinical characteristics of adolescents and emerging adults presenting for integrated posttraumatic stress and substance use treatment}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ADD-11-2023-0021}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/ADD-11-2023-0021}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}