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Clinical characteristics of adolescents and emerging adults presenting for integrated posttraumatic stress and substance use treatment

Natalie Peach (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

Ivana Kihas (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

Ashling Isik (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

Joanne Cassar (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

Emma Louise Barrett (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia and School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia)

Vanessa Cobham (School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia and Children’s Health Queensland Clinical Unit at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia)

Sudie E. Back (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA)

Sean Perrin (Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden)

Sarah Bendall (Orygen Ltd, Parkville, Australia and Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia)

Kathleen Brady (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA)

Joanne Ross (National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NewSouth Wales, Sydney, Australia)

Maree Teesson (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

Louise Bezzina (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

Katherine A. Dobinson (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

Olivia Schollar-Root (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

Bronwyn Milne (Department of Adolescent Medicine, The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Randwick and Westmead, Westmead, Australia)

Katherine L. Mills (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

Advances in Dual Diagnosis

ISSN: 1757-0972

Article publication date: 7 June 2024

Issue publication date: 18 June 2024

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Abstract

Purpose

Adolescence and emerging adulthood are key developmental stages with high risk for trauma exposure and the development of mental and substance-use disorders (SUDs). This study aims to compare the clinical profiles of adolescents (aged 12–17 years) and emerging adults (aged 18–25 years) presenting for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and SUD.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from the baseline assessment of individuals (n = 55) taking part in a randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of an integrated psychological therapy for co-occurring PTSD and SUDs (PTSD+SUD) in young people.

Findings

Both age groups demonstrated complex and severe clinical profiles, including high-frequency trauma exposure, and very poor mental health reflected on measures of PTSD, SUD, suicidality and domains of social, emotional, behavioral and family functioning. There were few differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups.

Research limitations/implications

Similarity between the two groups suggests that the complex problems seen in emerging adults with PTSD + SUD are likely to have had their onset in adolescence or earlier and to have been present for several years by the time individuals present for treatment.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to compare the demographic and clinical profiles of adolescents and emerging adults with PTSD + SUD. These findings yield important implications for practice and policy for this vulnerable group. Evidence-based prevention and early intervention approaches and access to care are critical. Alongside trauma-focused treatment, there is a critical need for integrated, trauma-informed approaches specifically tailored to young people with PTSD + SUD.

Keywords

Citation

Peach, N., Kihas, I., Isik, A., Cassar, J., Barrett, E.L., Cobham, V., Back, S.E., Perrin, S., Bendall, S., Brady, K., Ross, J., Teesson, M., Bezzina, L., Dobinson, K.A., Schollar-Root, O., Milne, B. and Mills, K.L. (2024), "Clinical characteristics of adolescents and emerging adults presenting for integrated posttraumatic stress and substance use treatment", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 54-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/ADD-11-2023-0021

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Emerald Publishing Limited

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Clinical characteristics of adolescents and emerging adults presenting for integrated posttraumatic stress and substance use treatment

Abstract

Purpose

Design/methodology/approach

Findings

Research limitations/implications

Originality/value

Keywords

Citation

Publisher

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To read this content please select one of the options below:

Please note you do not have access to teaching notes

Abstract

Purpose

Design/methodology/approach

Findings

Research limitations/implications

Originality/value

Keywords

Citation

Publisher

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