The Relationship between Trauma and Substance Use among Probationers

• In Event: Motivational and Technology-Based Approaches to Reducing Substance Use Among Probationers: Results from a Multi-Site RCT

Abstract

People in the criminal justice system have higher rates of adverse events and PTSD compared to the general public. We evaluated the trauma experiences of 360 probationers and assessed the relationship between trauma and criminal justice risk, gender, and substance abuse at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. We found that marijuana use at baseline and at follow-up were positively correlated with severe trauma and severity of sexual and/or physical abuse. Baseline binge alcohol use was correlated with reporting any physical or sexual abuse. Hard drug use did not appear to have a significant relationship with different types of trauma. Criminal justice risk was positively correlated with any trauma reported and any severe trauma reported. Finally, being female predicted physical or sexual abuse, for both severe trauma and the severity of sexual and/or physical abuse. Our findings suggest that trauma informed care might be an important approach to integrate in probation systems.

Authors

• Teneshia Thurman, George Mason University

• Faye S. Taxman, George Mason University

• Scott T. Walters, University of North Texas Health Science Center