Relationship between mental health indicators and drug use in women with substance use disorders (SUDs): Preliminary outcomes from a community-based, residential (SUD) treatment program for pregnant and post-partum women

Pregnant and postpartum women in need of treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) confront a myriad of gender-specific barriers to recovery, perhaps including certain types of psychological distress. Gender-specific approaches to SUD treatment have been identified as evidence-based and are thought to produce more positive treatment outcomes, but not all women respond equally. The authors utilized an existing program evaluation database to investigate mental health indicators that might be associated with or predict future drug and alcohol use among pregnant and postpartum women receiving community-based, residential SUD treatment. The GPRA (Government Performance Results Act) Structured Interview and the BASIS-24 (Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale 24) were administered to 49 consumers at intake and 6-months post-admission to evaluate relationships between drug use and psychological functioning. Preliminary results reveal significant associations between BASIS-24 subscale and change scores with self-reported drug use. Self-Harm subscale scores were positively associated with drug and alcohol use at intake, and the use of Cocaine/ Crack, Heroin and Marijuana at 6-months post-admission. Psychosis subscale scores were positively associated with alcohol use at intake and at 6-months. Substance Abuse subscale scores were positively associated with Cocaine/Crack use at 6-months post-admission. Change scores from intake to 6-months post-admission on the Relationship subscale were negatively associated with alcohol use to intoxication at 6-months, while Self Harm change scores were positively associated with the use of Cocaine/Crack, Heroin and Marijuana at 6-months. These results can inform the design of more effective community-based assessment and treatment approaches for women with SUDs.