Trauma exposure across the lifespan among individuals engaged in treatment with medication for opioid use disorder: differences by gender, PTSD status, and chronic pain

Background

There is little research on lifetime trauma exposure among individuals undergoing medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD). A multisite study examined the prevalence of lifetime trauma and explored differences based on gender, PTSD status, and chronic pain.

Methods

A cross-sectional study examined baseline data from participants (N = 303) enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of a mind–body intervention as an adjunct to MOUD. All participants were stabilised on MOUD. Measures included the Trauma Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ), the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5). Analyses involved descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and linear and logistic regression.

Results

Participants included women (n = 157), men (n = 144), and non-binary individuals (n = 2). Fifty-seven percent (n = 172) reported chronic pain, and 41% (n = 124) screened positive for PTSD. Women reported more intimate partner violence (85% vs. 73%) and adult sexual assault (57% vs. 13%), while men reported more physical assault (81% vs. 61%) and witnessing trauma (66% vs. 48%). Both men and women experienced significant childhood physical abuse, witnessed intimate partner violence as children, and had similar exposure to accidents as adults. The number of traumatic events predicted PTSD symptom severity and diagnostic status. Participants with chronic pain reported significantly more childhood trauma (85% vs. 75%).

Conclusion

The study found a high prevalence of lifetime trauma among individuals undergoing MOUD. These results emphasize the need for comprehensive assessments and mental health services to address trauma in this population.