The influence of trauma history on opiate use disorder in an urban treatment facility in Pennsylvania

Background: Opioid use disorder is one of the most severe forms of substance use disorder and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Opiate overdose deaths in the US are increasing every year, claiming over 100,000 lives in 2022. Psychological trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder are major health problems in the United States and may contribute to the development of an opiate use disorder. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of psychological trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder with opiate use disorder.

Methods: This study used a retrospective design with a convenience sample size of n = 150 participants diagnosed with opiate use disorder or substance use disorder from a drug treatment center in urban Pennsylvania. Retrospective data was collected on demographic characteristics, trauma exposures, diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder, opiate use disorder, and substance use disorder. Demographic data was gathered using a demographic survey, psychological trauma exposure was documented using the self-reported Life Events Checklist, and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, opiate use disorder, and substance use disorder was confirmed as documented in the medical record by mental health providers.

Results: Persons with psychological trauma exposure >5 are more likely to develop opiate use disorder, Chi-Square (χ² = 5.17, df = 1, p = 0.023).

Conclusion: Our study showed that psychological trauma exposure may lead to opiate use disorder, emphasizing the importance of identification of psychological trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis as part of trauma-informed strategies during the treatment of persons with opiate use disorder to help prevent disability and death.