The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65151

Hsiu-Ju Lin, MA¹, Linda Frisman, PhD², Julian Ford, PhD³, and Sharon Mallon, PhD¹. (1) Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, 410 Capitol Avenue, MS # 14 RSD, Hartford, CT 06106, 860-418-6662, hsiuju.lin@po.state.ct.us, (2) Connecticut Dept. Of Mental Health and Addiction Services, 410 Capitol Avenue, MS # 14 RSD, Hartford, CT 06106, (3) Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06030

Although people receiving substance abuse treatment are highly likely to be survivors of trauma (e.g., childhood sexual abuse, domestic or community violence), treatment providers have been slow to develop treatment models to address psychiatric disorders resulting from trauma. In Connecticut, a randomized controlled trial is being conducted to test a model of brief trauma treatment designed specifically for persons receiving outpatient substance abuse care, called Trauma Adaptive Recovery Group Education and Therapy (TARGET). A total of 212 study participants were randomly assigned to either trauma-sensitive care (usual care enhanced with training in trauma-sensitive techniques) (n=72) or trauma-sensitive care plus TARGET groups (n=140). In addition to comprehensive clinical assessments at baseline, participants were followed at 6 and 12 months following baseline. In this presentation, we will describe the conceptualization and primary elements of TARGET model versus trauma sensitive care, present profiles of participants, and highlight findings for short term (6 month) and long term (12 month) treatment effects for clients' substance use behaviors and mental health. Preliminary intent to treat analyses indicate that both trauma-sensitive and TARGET groups show improvements with regard to substance abuse, with greater mental health improvements for the TARGET group. We will also present results related to differing levels of treatment dose. In addition, the moderating effect of gender and type of trauma exposure in relation to the treatment effects will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
• Describe key elements of COD treatment;
• Report outcomes of this treatment program across 3 outcome domains: substance abuse, mental health and social functioning; and
• Identify key client characteristics associated with outcomes of COD treatment.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Mental Health Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.