Prevalence of trauma, PTSD and psychotic symptomatology in relation to suicidality and quality of life in substance users

Abstract

The present cross-sectional study aims to investigate trauma (early and cumulative), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, manifestation of psychotic symptomatology, quality of life and suicidality in recipients of Substitution Program services. The sample consists of 104 patients of the Integrated Treatment Unit of Addiction (OKANA). In this study several questionnaires were used such as the Early Trauma Self-Report Questionnaire - short form (ETI-SR-SF), the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire - short form (WHOQOL-BREF), the European Adaptation of Addiction Severity Index (EuroASI), the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ), the Post-Traumatic Stress Scale (PTSD Check List) and the demographic questionnaire. The findings showed that the increased incidence of general and emotional trauma before the age of 18, as well as psychotic symptomatology, predict the diagnosis of PTSD in participants. It has also been found that concurrent drug use is associated with masking the symptoms of PTSD. Regarding the quality of life, it has been found that the only factor that can predict it to some point is emotional abuse. At the same time, the coexistence of substance use disorders and psychotic symptomatology is associated with low quality of life, while early trauma is associated with the severity of problems faced by individuals in adulthood. Finally, it was observed that the cumulative trauma is positively associated with suicidality. These specific findings underline that the phenomenon of addiction is multi-factorial and therefore further investigation will contribute to a deeper understanding of the above correlations and to the development of more effective treatment programs of addiction.