Integrated trauma-informed services for minority women with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders

Objective:  To examine preliminary data from a newly funded Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration project to provide integrated substance abuse treatment, co-occurring mental health disorder, and HIV/STD/hepatitis risk reduction services to minority women in Long Beach, CA.

Methods:  From October 2013 to February 2014 baseline data were collected from 46 minority women participating in intensive outpatient treatment via the Preliminary Intake Assessment, Government Performance and Results Act instrument, and Rapid HIV Testing Clinical Information forms.   

Results:  Substance use disorder and self-reported co-occurring mental health diagnoses are concurrent with past 30 days experience of trouble understanding, concentrating, or remembering (68%); experienced serious anxiety (42%); experienced serious depression (42%); have been prescribed psychological medication (28%); and attempted suicide (6%).  Additionally, 81% of respondents endorsed ever experienced violence or trauma; and 69% ever experienced serious psychological distress.  Methamphetamine was the primary drug of choice for 41% of participants, and 62% of Latina participants.  Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported previous substance abuse treatment, and 56% reported treatment during the last 12 months.   

Conclusion: Targeted, integrated, and evidence-based services are needed to address the complexity of substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health needs of minority women.  Methamphetamine remains a public health challenge for minority women, especially Latinas.