Assessing and Treating Trauma in Clients with Concurrent Disorders

Assessing and Treating Trauma in Clients with Concurrent DisordersShari A. McKee, Ph.D., C.Psych.Olivia Forrest, ACGeorgianwood Concurrent Disorders ProgramPenetanguishene, ONGeorgianwood Concurrent Disorders ProgramLocated at the Waypoint Centre (formerly the Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene) Revamped in 2007 became 3-month residential program offering fully integrated substance use and mental illness treatment for adults12bed program was based on best-practice recommendations for CDsGroups include CBT, Seeking Safety, skills training, self-help facilitation, psychoeducation, family education, anger management, leisure education, discharge planning & aftercare

Prevalence of PTSD in CD PopulationsRates of PTSD among clients in treatment for substance abuse range from 25-42% (E.g., Brady et al., 2004; Langeland & Hartgers, 1998) Studies that focused only on women find higher rates: 30-59% (E.g., Najavits et al., 1997; Stewart et al., 1999)Masters thesis data collected at Georgianwood found that 60% of our clients met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD

What Does the Research Say?Becoming abstinent from substances does not resolve PTSD; but successfully treating PTSD does lead to decreases in substance abuse (Brady et al., 1994; Hien et al, 2010)Treatment outcomes for clients with PTSD and substance abuse are worse than for other clients with concurrent disorders and for those solely with substance abuse (Ouimette et al., 2003) When PTSD symptoms worsen, substance misuse symptoms worsen and vice versa (Henslee & Coffey, 2010)

What are the Recommendations? (Henslee & Coffey, 2010) Assess trauma symptoms in all clients.Provide trauma-focused treatment to addicted clients with PTSD.Manuals have been created which offer combined PTSD & substance abuse treatment (e.g., Seeking Safety; Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Cocaine Dependence; Substance Dependence PTSD Treatment)Despite the difficulties in administration, prolonged exposure therapy is the gold standard in PTSD treatment.

Screening for PTSDAll clients should be routinely screened for PTSD.There are many screening/assessment tools available.National Center for PTSD lists many available free screeners and assessment tools on their website.We use the PTSD Checklist (PCL-S; Weathers, Litz, Huska, & Keane, 1994) & the Brief Trauma Questionnaire (Schnurr, Vielhauer, Weathers & Findler, 1999).PTSD ScreenersFirst determine whether the client experienced at least 1 traumatic event meeting DSM-IV criteria:(1) person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others; (2) the person's response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror.PTSD Screeners contd Then determine whether they have experienced PTSD symptoms for at least 1 month:1. Reexperiencing (1)(e.g., dreams, flashbacks)2. Avoidance & Numbing (3)(e.g., avoid thoughts, people, objects that are reminders of the trauma; diminished interest; detachment) 3. Increased arousal (2) (e.g., sleep problems, startle, hypervigilance, irritability)Suggestions for Effective ScreeningWe do trauma screening within 2 days of admission.Assign the task to one person who should use a gentle, empathic approach.Give a rationale for the screening: we are asking this so any PTSD symptoms can be addressed.Ask briefly for past traumas but do not elicit so much detail that it is re-traumatizing for the client.

Suggestions for Effective Screening contdScore the tool ASAP so can give feedback to the client.If they screen positive for PTSD, invite them to attend Seeking Safety and give information about the group.Instill hope we can work with you to help you with these PTSD symptoms.

Seeking Safety (2002)Developed by Lisa Najavits at Harvard.Is considered first stage treatment for concurrent PTSD & substance abuse (which involves safety).Safety from substance abuse, self-harm, violent relationships etc.Many clients will require further treatment.Fully-integrated curriculum addresses substance use & PTSD in every session.

Seeking Safety contdTeaches healthy coping skills in 25 sessions (hard to cover that many sessions)Groups are psychoeducational but manual offers ideas on how to make it more skills-focused.The group involves NO trauma details.Seeking Safety TrainingFive Georgianwood staff attended a 2-day Najavits workshop in Toronto.Had to decide on which sessions we would offer in our 12-week program. Currently have a weekly 2-hour group that is co-led by an addiction counselor and an RN mixed gender group.

Seeking Safety Topics Include:*Grounding*Asking for helpSafety*Compassion*Setting boundariesHealing from anger*Self-nurturingCoping with triggersRecovery thinkingHealthy relationships*Integrating the split selfCommunity resources

*Honesty*Taking good care of yourselfGetting others to support your recovery*Taking back your power*Red & green flagsCommitmentCreating meaningWhen substances control youDiscoveryRespecting your time

Core Concepts of Seeking SafetyStay safeRespect yourselfUse coping not substances- to escape the painMake the present and future better than the pastLearn to trustTake good care of your bodyGet help from safe peopleIf one method doesnt work, try something elseNever, never, never, never, never give up!

Seeking Safety Session FormatCheck-inQuotationHandouts on the topic discussion, practice skillsCommitment (homework)Check-out / feedback

Check-in (5 mins/client)5 minutes per client maxAsk clients to reflect on how they are feeling and how things have gone over the past week:4 questions:How are you feeling? Did you practice any safe coping this week? Any substance use or other unsafe behaviour this week?Did you complete your commitment?

Quotation (5 minutes)Helps to engage the clients emotionally in the session. E.g., for Safety session:Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it. Helen Keller

Ask What is the main point of the quotation?

Handouts on the Topic & Discussion/Practice (50 minutes)Handouts copied from manual2-5 handouts per topicMay take up to 4 sessions to get through all handouts on a topicClients encouraged to read handouts out loudEach main point is discussed by group & topic is related to each clients lifeMany topics have suggestions for behavioural skills practice (i.e., role plays)

Example: Grounding Topic Gives definition of grounding: a distraction technique used to detach from emotional pain.Explains rationale for grounding: to gain control over your feelings and stay safe (from substance use or self-harm).Guidelines for grounding: Can use it anywhere, any timeUse it to deal with cravings, anger, dissociation, painKeep eyes openFocus on the present

3 Types of Grounding clients practice each type of grounding as a group 1. Mental Grounding: describe your environment; categories game (cities that start w/ A, B, etc); read2. Physical Grounding: cool water on hands; grip chair; dig heels into floor; touch grounding object3. Soothing Grounding: say kind statements; think of favourites (foods, TV shows); photos of loved ones

Commitment (1min/client)Similar to homework in CBT.Is optional but encouraged.Clients can choose a commitment idea from a list or make up one of their own.Idea is to put into practice some of the safe coping skills.

Example of CommitmentsSafe coping sheet contrast old ways of coping versus new, safe ways. Find a small grounding object, such as a stone, to carry with them.Writing a letter or a story (e.g., a letter giving themselves permission to nurture themselves).Practice grounding for 10 minutes. Practice self-nurturing (e.g., take a long bath)

Check-out (10 mins)To reinforce the clients progress and give therapist feedback.How was the session today?What did you like?What didnt you like?What is your new commitment?Outcome Research: Seeking SafetySeeking Safety is the only model of concurrent PTSD and substance abuse that meets Chambless & Hollon (1998) criteria as an effective treatment.The evidence comes from 6 pilot studies, 4 RCTs, 1 controlled nonrandomized trial, 2 multisite controlled trials and 1 dissemination study. All outcomes studies showed positive outcomes all studies showed reduction in PTSD symptoms and all but 1 found reductions in substance use (that study did not use all Seeking Safety sessions).

Outcome Research: Seeking Safety contdIn 4 out of 5 controlled trials, Seeking Safety outperformed the comparison condition (treatment as usual).Seeking Safety was also found to have several advantages over other treatments: greater therapeutic alliance more rapid PTSD improvementgreater HIV risk reductiongreater sustaining of gains during follow-upgreater impact on clients who were heavy substance users.Outcome Research: Seeking Safety contdTreatment satisfaction was high in all studies.More research is needed: What are the key components to treatment effectiveness? How many sessions are needed for optimal response?Does clinician training impact outcomes?How does Seeking Safety do compared to other manualized treatments?Fidelity & Knowledge AcquisitionIt is recommended that regular fidelity checks are done to assess whether the therapists are sticking to the manual.All of our sessions are audiotaped and the psychologist listens to random tapes and assesses fidelity to the Seeking Safety model (Seeking Safety Adherence Scale).Also created a pre/post quiz to measure knowledge acquisition of key Seeking Safety skills and concepts.Screen for PTSD pre and post program have their symptoms decreased as a result of the program? Preliminary Data: Georgianwood N = 57 all screening positive for PTSD on admission.On discharge, 41 (72%) no longer screened positive for PTSD.Improvements likely due to a combination of factors: 3 months of sobriety, a supportive environment, CBT and Seeking Safety.

Example: CompassionQuotation:You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. BuddhaExposure TherapyExposure therapy is an evidence-based intervention & is considered the gold-standard of trauma treatment.Exposure therapy was the only psychosocial treatment deemed effective for PTSD by the Institute of Medicine (2008). Edna Foa - named one of Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2010, to acknowledge how effective exposure therapy has been in treating PTSD.

Exposure Therapy contdInvolves clients being exposed to memories or to objects/situations that remind them of a trauma. It is thought to work by allowing the client to see that although the traumatic event wasnt safe, the memories and reminders of the event are safe. It also involves clients repeatedly exposing themselves to the feared objects/memories, allowing for habituation of the fear. It also allows the client to fully process what happened to them (which avoidance does not permit).Prolonged ExposureTypically involves 2 types of exposure work:1. In Vivo client is exposed to objects (e.g., dogs) or situations (e.g., going to a grocery store) that are associated with a trauma and that cause fear and avoidance.2. Imaginal client is exposed to memories of the traumatic event.

Prolonged Exposure contdWork with the client to create 2 hierarchies one for in vivo and one for imaginal.Want a range of objects/memories from mild anxiety to severe anxiety.Slowly work up the hierarchy as they experience success with the less anxiety-provoking items, they develop confidence to tackle the more difficult items.

Prolonged Exposure: WarningsNot easy is difficult for the client and the therapist.Need extensive background in CBT first.Need to fully understand the rationale for PE.Need to follow closely to an effective manual.Should get supervision/ consultation when first doing this work.For CSA and BPD, the combination of PE with DBT is recommended. In the short-run can increase nightmares/flashbacks and should continuously assess for suicidal ideation.

SummaryThe majority of CD clients have experienced significant trauma and many have PTSD.Treating their substance abuse without addressing the trauma leads to poorer outcomes.Screen all concurrent disorders clients for PTSD.When identified, either refer or treat in-house.There are a number of CD/PTSD manualized treatments available (e.g., Seeking Safety).

Summary contdIdentify staff who may have the interest and background to get training and supervision in exposure therapy.Considering training in DBT to increase the effectiveness of your trauma interventions.Reassess PTSD symptoms after treatment to see whether it was effective.Very good substance use outcomes can be achieved when trauma is treated concurrently!

Thank you!smckee@waypointcentre.caoforrest@waypointcentre.ca

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