The relationship of lifetime polysubstance dependence to trauma exposure, symptomatology, and psychosocial functioning in incarcerated women with comorbid PTSD and substance use disorder.

There is a dearth of literature examining the relationship between trauma-related experiences, PTSD, and lifetime polysubstance dependence among incarcerated women. A sample of 69 treatment-seeking incarcerated women with current PTSD and comorbid substance use disorder (PTSD-SUD) were recruited from a northeastern state medium-security prison. Women with lifetime polysubstance dependence (PTSD-SUD/LPD; n = 33) were compared to women with no lifetime polysubstance dependence (PTSD-SUD only; n = 36) across a range of features; trauma characteristics (e.g., number of traumas, type of trauma), associated symptoms (e.g., dissociation, anxiety), severity of substance use and psychosocial functioning. Women with PTSD and lifetime polysubstance dependence reported greater severity of drug and alcohol use, increased exposure to traumatic events (i.e., general disasters, crime-related events), and increased prevalence of PTSDrelated symptoms (i.e., derealization, survivor guilt). Trends also suggest that PTSD-SUD/LPD women are more likely to experience dissociation, anxiety, and sexual problems than PTSD-SUD respondents. Treatment-related implications are discussed.