Treatment Differences among Women with Co-occurring Substance Use Disorders, Mental Illness and Trauma History

• In Event: Individual Differences, Treatment, and Associated Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract

Women with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental illness (SUD/MI) often have histories of trauma that have led them to treatment and sometimes into the criminal justice system. Little is known about how these treatment pathways are affected by presenting problems and individual characteristics and histories for this specialized population. This study uses data from the SAMHSA Women, Co-Occurring Disorders and Violence Study, the first federal study aimed to address the need for integrated trauma-informed services for women with co-occurring SUD/MI and histories of interpersonal violence. This study explores the relationship between demographic characteristics and legal system involvement, and the services that adult women receive. We hypothesize that types of treatment services (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, emergency room, shelter services, and jail/correctional services) will differ based on demographics and prior legal system involvement. This project is in the analysis phase, but preliminary results find that race is associated with the type of treatment received. White women were more likely to be given psychiatric care and drug/alcohol care (p>.01) and less likely to experience incarceration (p>.05). Given this data’s unique representation of women with co-occurring conditions, we aim to add to the literature by improving our understanding of these women’s unique experiences.

Authors

• Jordan DiTullio, Rutgers University

• Rosheka Faulkner, Rutgers University

• Chloé Sudduth, Rutgers University