Trauma-Informed Care for Pregnant Women with Co-Occurring Disorders

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Literature Review
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Evidence concerned with the complex needs of pregnant women are increasing regarding dual diagnoses of substance abuse and mental health disorders. In the past, these women have been frequently underserved by their communities due to separating substance abuse and mental health programs. In recent years, it has become very evident that trauma is an important factor to consider when serving pregnant women with co-occurring disorders. According to a reviewed study, 55% to 99% of women with co-occurring disorders experienced trauma from abuse (Covington, Burke, Keaton, & Norcott, 2008). In the last decade research has demonstrated that integrated, trauma-informed treatment services promote successful …show more content…

(2008) have determined that women with co-occurring disorders whom have experienced trauma from abuse will often engage in self-destructive behaviors. This study further proposed an integrated model of treatment for addicted women who have co-occurring disorders and the experience of trauma. The treatment model is called Women's Integrated Treatment (WIT) and combines substance abuse and trauma which is explored in a residential facility where the model is applied (Covington et al., 2008). Covington et al. (2008) introduces Helping Women Recover and Beyond Trauma which are both implemented with integrated trauma-informed services. Beyond Trauma (BT) is provided in eleven sessions which include a focus on abuse and trauma, the impact of trauma, and healing from trauma (Covington et al., 2008). Helping Women Recover (HWR) has a duration of seventeen-session that involve concepts regarding self, relationships, sexuality, and spirituality (Covington et al., 2008). Both programs are designed for application with staff from various areas of training and offer manuals that deliver guidelines for each session. The WIT model provided evidence with positive outcomes and indicated reduced symptoms regarding trauma and depression as well as a reduction in substance …show more content…

(2013) as the variation in the types of measures used to evaluate them (2013). The current study conducts a comparison of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) to assess change in alcohol and other drug treatment outcomes for PPW. Both measures were compared on their ability to determine changes in substance use, medical and HIV risk, employment issues, legal problems, family and recovery environment characteristics, and psychological/emotional issues (Cowger et al., 2013). The measures were similar in their ability to perceive treatment outcomes, but the GAIN includes an additional HIV risk scale. The results of the study indicate that research involving the effects of drug use and treatment with PPW may find value in the GAIN because it will be more effective in finding vital individual differences within PPW (Cowger et al., 2013). Though the ASI measures many of the same ideas as the GAIN, such as items related to treatment, it lacks mixing score measures of substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, physical health treatment, and HIV risk behaviors (Cowger et al., 2013). All of which are considered very relevant in treating this population. The GAIN's substance abuse treatment measure is noted as providing more valuable information regarding the urgent need for treatment and

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