Alcohol and other substance use disorder recovery during pregnancy among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: A qualitative study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2021.100013
• Publication Date: 2021-12-05T22:33:27Z
• Authors: Melissa C. Henry; Pilar M. Sanjuan; Lisa Cacari Stone; Grace F. Cairo; Anthony Lohr-Valdez; Lawrence M. Leeman
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis; Social stigma; Alcohol use disorder

About 5% of women are pregnant at substance use disorder (SUD) treatment entry, and with SUD often belong to marginalized groups experiencing social, economic, health care barriers associated stigma from prenatal use. Pregnant in have high rates trauma posttraumatic stress (PTSD). This study sought (1) examine the lived experiences individuals PTSD symptoms (2) understand roles systematic or contextual pursuit abstinence. We draw upon in-depth semi-structured interviews relationships between SUD, psychological trauma/PTSD experience, social resources, among patients symptoms. Our sample was (N = 13) prior DSM-5 Criterion A current enrolled a comprehensive program integrating care, counseling, medication for opioid case management three sites affiliated an urban academic medical center New Mexico. Using thematic analysis, four main themes identified structural forces influencing alcohol drug use: (a) lack access ability obtain (b) cope negative affect, (c) stigma, (d) interpersonal relationships. Despite receiving high-quality integrated these still experienced substantial hurdles achieving abstinence during pregnancy.