Clinical and psychosocial characteristics of substance-dependent pregnant women with and without PTSD

The present study compared psychiatric and psychosocial functioning in 123 pregnant opiate- and/or cocaine-dependent women with and without a comorbid diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants were enrol led in a comprehensive perinatal drug treatment program and completed asses sments upon admission. Lifetime diagnostic prevalence of PTSD [Structured C linical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders (SCID) confirmed] among the sample w as 19%. Participants with PTSD (n=24) reported greater need for psychiatric treatment, were more likely to report a previous suicide attempt, and had more previous drug treatments than participants without PTSD (n=99). Women with PTSD were twice as likely to have lifetime Axis I and Axis Il disorder s and had higher rates of abuse than women without PTSD. Lifetime sexual ab use and ASI family/social composite scores were significant predictors of P TSD. Findings suggest that pregnant drug-dependent women with comorbid PTSD may benefit from specialized treatment services for trauma and/or abuse is sues. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.