A dwarf conifer tree from the Triassic of Antarctica: the first fossil evidence of suppressed growth in a favorable climate?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The complexity of fossil forest ecosystems is difficult to reconstruct due to the fragmentary nature of the fossil record. However, detailed morpho-anatomical studies of well-preserved individual fossils can provide key information on tree growth and ecology, including in biomes with no modern analog such as the lush forests that developed in the polar regions during past greenhouse climatic episodes. METHODS: We describe an unusual-looking stem from Middle Triassic (ca 240 Ma) deposits of Antarctica with over 100 very narrow growth-rings and conspicuous persistent vascular traces through the wood. Sections of the specimen were prepared using the cellulose acetate peel technique to determine its systematic affinities and analyse its growth. KEY RESULTS: The new fossil shows similarities with the form genus Woodworthia and with conifer stems from the Triassic of Antarctica, and is assigned to the conifers. Vascular traces are interpreted as those of small branches retained on the trunk. Growth-ring analyses reveal one of the slowest growth rates reported in the fossil record, with an average of 0.2 mm/season. While the tree was growing within the Triassic polar circle, sedimentological data and growth-ring information from other fossil trees, including from the same locality, support the presence of favorable conditions in the region. CONCLUSIONS: The specimen is interpreted as a dwarf conifer tree that grew under a generally favorable regional climate but whose growth was suppressed due to stressful local site conditions. This is the first time that a tree with suppressed growth is identified as such in the fossil record, providing new insights on the structure of polar forests under greenhouse climates and, more generally, on the complexity of tree communities in deep time.

A multicenter, randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of STARC-SUD (Skills Training in Affect Regulation - a Culture-sensitive approach) versus treatment as usual in trauma-exposed refugees with substance use problems.

BACKGROUND: Refugees often report high levels of psychological distress due to traumatic experiences before and during flight as well as many post-migration stressors. Refugees with hazardous substance use or existing substance use disorder (SUD) are a particularly vulnerable group for whom few preventive and therapeutic measures are available. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of an integrative culturally sensitive group therapy approach (STARC-SUD) to improve affect regulation in refugees with substance-related problems. METHODS: The study aims to include N = 286 male refugees with psychological distress (GHQ-12 > 13) and hazardous substance use or SUD (AUDIT > 7 or DUDIT > 6). Therapists working supported by interpreters will deliver the STARC-SUD intervention in addiction aid facilities in six metropolitan regions of Germany. The primary endpoint is severity of psychological distress (GHQ-12). The effectiveness of STARC-SUD is compared with treatment as usual (TAU) post-intervention and 3 months later. DISCUSSION: This trial will be one of the first RCTs on a culturally sensitive transdiagnostic intervention for trauma-exposed refugees with hazardous substances or SUD. The trial might gain new insights into the efficacy of such an intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: OSF Registry osf.io/nhxd4 . Registered prospectively on September 22, 2020, doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/NHXD4. DRKS DRKS00017668.

Improving care for SUD patients with complex trauma-relationships between childhood trauma, dissociation, and suicidal behavior in female patients with PTSD and SUD.

Background: Posttraumatic disorders are among the most frequent co-occurring diagnoses in patients with substance use disorders (SUD). Individuals with this dual diagnosis often present with special treatment needs, especially after childhood traumatic experiences (CT). Along with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociative symptoms, suicidal behaviors belong to the clinical challenges in this group of patients and may influence the course and outcome of SUD treatment. Therefore, a better understanding of the relationships between different forms of CT, psychopathology and suicidal behaviors seems to be important to tailor adequate concepts of care. Materials and methods: We examined 343 female patients with SUD and Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). All patients completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Dissociative Experiences Scale-Taxon (DES-T) and the Structured Clinical Interview Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). To determine relationships between different symptoms with potential importance for concepts of treatment, we conducted analyses of moderated mediation for different models. We examined the direct and indirect effects of associations between the type of CT, dissociation and suicidal behavior, as well as the moderation effect of PTSD. Results: All participants met DSM-criteria for either full PTSD (75.2%) or subsyndromal PTSD (24.8%). Almost all (94.5%) received at least one substance dependence diagnosis and the remaining 5.5% met substance abuse criteria. Most participants (93.3%) reported at least one type of childhood trauma. In all models, dissociation was a risk factor for suicidal ideation (SI) and for suicide attempts (SA). In both, participants with subsyndromal PTSD and participants with full PTSD, dissociation mediated the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and SI as well as SA. Moreover, we report direct effects between different childhood traumas and SI and SA. Furthermore, emotional abuse was a significant predictor of dissociation. Discussion: In our sample of female patients with SUD and co-occurring PTSD, dissociation significantly increased suicidal behavior and served as a mediator of the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and suicidal behavior. Our findings underline the need to include interventions to address dissociative symptoms and other more complex consequences of childhood trauma into concepts of care for patients with SUD.

Internalizing and externalizing subtypes in female patients with co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders.

BACKGROUND: Research has described subtypes with more internalizing and more externalizing symptoms in samples of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and samples of patients with substance use disorders (SUD). OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine the respective subtypes in female PTSD-SUD patients and potential relationships with substance use characteristics. METHODS: We performed a latent class analysis (LCA) in 343 adult female participants of a multisite therapy trial on PTSD and SUD. We derived externalizing symptoms from the Assessment of DSM-IV Personality Disorders (ADP-IV) questionnaire. We assessed internalization using the Symptom Checklist-27 (SCL-27) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). We collected substance use-related information using the Addiction Severity Index-Lite (ASI-lite). RESULTS: LCA suggested four latent classes including an externalizing (10.8%), a moderately internalizing class (31.0%), and a highly internalizing class (22.0%), as well as a class with a low severity of psychological symptoms (36.3%). Externalizing participants used more substances than any other class, while the duration of substance use did not differ between groups. Regular use started at a significantly younger age among the members of the highly internalizing subgroup compared to the moderately internalizing and low severity participants, but at an older age compared to the externalizing group members. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of two internalizing subgroups along with an externalizing and a low severity class emphasizes the heterogeneity and complexity of populations with PTSD and SUD. This heterogeneity bears implications for research among this group of patients, but also for their treatment, especially considering our results on differences in substance use.

Predictors of attendance in outpatient group treatment for women with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder.

Objective: The present study investigated predictors of treatment attendance among 226 women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD). Participants received either an integrated intervention for PTSD and SUD ("Seeking Safety") or a relapse prevention training (RPT) as part of a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Method: Beta-binomial regression was conducted to investigate baseline sociodemographic, motivational, mental health and substance use predictors of session attendance. Treatment by predictor interactions were included to identify treatment-specific predictors. Results: Session attendance was predicted by employment status, drug use severity and abstinence status. Higher drug use severity and unemployment were associated with less session attendance. The effect of abstinence status was treatment-specific, with abstinent participants in RPT attending most sessions. Conclusions: Considering individual characteristics could enhance session attendance in outpatient treatment for women with PTSD and SUD. This might include matching treatment concepts to abstinence status, the identification of attendance barriers in unemployed women and more intensive treatment settings for those with severe drug use.

Emotion Regulation as a Mediator between Childhood Abuse and Neglect and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Women with Substance Use Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: A history of childhood abuse and neglect (CAN) is significantly associated with psychopathologies in adulthood, including comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUD). Difficulties in emotion regulation (ER) might influence the association between CAN and PTSD. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between CAN and PTSD symptom severity in women with SUD and to investigate the mediating role of general difficulties in ER and its specific dimensions. Method: We examined 320 women, with a current diagnosis of at least subsyndromal PTSD and SUD, using self-report measures of CAN, PTSD symptom severity, and ER difficulties. We conducted both simple and multiple bootstrapping-enhanced mediation analysis to investigate whether general difficulties in ER and its specific dimensions mediate the relationship between CAN and PTSD symptom severity. Results: General difficulties in ER mediated the association between CAN and PTSD symptom severity. CAN significantly predicted adult PTSD symptom severity, directly and indirectly, through ER difficulties. Difficulties engaging in goal directed behavior when distressed was the only ER dimension, which mediated the effect of CAN on PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: Our results suggest that difficulties in ER and specifically difficulties engaging in goal directed behavior when distressed might constitute an influential factor in the relationship between CAN and PTSD symptom severity in a sample of SUD patients, and highlight the importance of targeting ER as a potential treatment focus for patients with comorbid PTSD and SUD.

Learning How to Ask - Does a one-day training increase trauma inquiry in routine substance use disorder practice? Results of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: To examine the effectiveness of a one-day skills training program for increasing trauma inquiry in routine substance use disorder treatment. DESIGN: Cluster-randomized two-armed controlled trial, with 12 substance use disorder (SUD) organizations operating 25 counseling centers, randomly assigned to training in trauma inquiry (13 counseling centers of 8 SUD organizations) or no training (12 counseling centers of 4 SUD organizations). SETTING: SUD counseling centers in Northern Germany. CASES: N = 5204 SUD counseling services. INTERVENTION: The professionals assigned to the intervention group received a one-day training in trauma inquiry plus a 1.5-hour refresher session 3 months later. Professionals in the control group received no training. MEASURES: Over a 12-month period, professionals documented for each counseling service whether they asked the client about four traumatic events: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. ANALYSIS: Primary outcomes were rates of asking about physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect in the 6 months after training. These were compared across conditions, while adjusting for baseline probabilities in the 6 months before training, using mixed-effects logistic regression. FINDINGS: In the 6 months after training, the rate of asking about physical abuse was 18% higher in the SUD counseling services of trained professionals, relative to services of untrained professionals (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = [1.01-1.37, p = .035]). No effect was found for asking about sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. CONCLUSION: A one-day training program in trauma inquiry, combined with a brief refresher session, was effective in increasing inquiries about physical abuse in routine counseling practice. The training was ineffective in increasing inquiries about sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. The effectiveness of a one-day training of trauma inquiry might be increased by a longer training, or by combining it with additional elements, such as ongoing supervision.

Profiles of Childhood Trauma in Women With Substance Use Disorders and Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorders.

Background: It is increasingly becoming accepted that substance use disorders, including substance abuse and substance dependence, are closely related to childhood trauma and posttraumatic stress disorders. Among women with substance use disorders, the majority report sexual, physical or emotional abuse, or neglect. However, it is poorly understood which types of childhood trauma co-occur in women with substance use disorders and how combinations of different types and severities of childhood trauma are related to clinical characteristics. This information is important to inform treatment of substance use disorders. Aim: The first aim of this research was to investigate profiles of childhood trauma in female patients with substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress disorders. The second aim was to examine relationships between these childhood trauma profiles and addiction characteristics or current clinical symptoms. Methods: We includeda 343 treatment-seeking women with substance use disorders and comorbid posttraumatic stress disorders according to DSM-IV. Five types of childhood trauma (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse) were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Addiction characteristics were assessed by using the Addiction Severity Index-lite. Current severity of clinical symptoms was determined by the Symptom-Checklist-27. Latent profile analysis was conducted to distinguish profiles of childhood trauma. Analysis of variance was applied to examine the relationship between childhood trauma profiles and addiction characteristics or severity of clinical symptoms. Results: Nine out of ten women reported at least one type of childhood abuse or neglect. Four different childhood trauma profiles could be distinguished that characterized different types and severities of childhood trauma: 'Low trauma'; 'Moderate sexual abuse and emotional abuse'; 'Severe sexual abuse and emotional abuse'; and 'Severe levels of all types of trauma'. Profiles with more severe levels of childhood trauma showed an earlier age at initiation and escalation of substance use. Furthermore, childhood trauma profiles were related to current severity of depressive symptoms, dysthymic symptoms, sociophobic symptoms, and distrust. Conclusion: In women with substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress disorders, childhood trauma profiles can inform about addiction characteristics and severity of a wide range of clinical symptoms. This information is essential to understand current treatment needs and should be systematically assessed in women with substance use disorders and trauma exposure.

Reducing barriers to trauma inquiry in substance use disorder treatment - a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high rate of traumatic events in clients with substance use disorders, trauma exposure often remains undetected in a majority of treatment-seeking clients. Improving health professionals' knowledge and skills in the inquiry of traumatic events is therefore of utmost importance for appropriately addressing trauma-related treatment needs. However, professionals in substance use disorder treatment settings frequently report barriers to the inquiry about traumatic events, e.g., the fear of offending or harming the client. Such barriers should be addressed by trainings that aim to improve the systematic inquiry of traumatic events. METHODS: Using a cluster-randomized trial, we examined whether a one-day training in trauma inquiry ('Learning How to Ask') would reduce professionals' perceived barriers to trauma inquiry. One hundred forty-eight professionals working in outpatient substance use disorder treatment centers were randomized to an intervention (n = 72) or a control group (n = 76). The professionals in the intervention group received a one-day training plus a refresher session 3 months later, the professionals in the control group received no training. At baseline, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up, professionals rated on a four-point Likert scale regarding how strongly they agreed with statements about six common barriers to trauma inquiry, namely 'Feeling uncomfortable when asking about traumatic events', 'Fear of offending the client', 'Fear of retraumatizing the client', 'Fear that client may terminate treatment', 'Unsure whether authorities have to be informed when perpetrator is known', and 'No trauma-specific treatment available in my local area'. RESULTS: The trained group experienced significant greater decreases in five of the six perceived barriers to the inquiry of traumatic events from baseline to 6-month follow-up than the control group ('Feeling uncomfortable when asking about traumatic events': b = - 0.32, 95% CI [- 0.52, - 0.12]; 'Fear of offending the client': b = - 0.33, 95% CI [- 0.56, - 0.09]); 'Fear of retraumatizing the client': b = - 0.45, 95% CI [- 0.69, - 0.22]; 'Fear that client may terminate treatment': b = - 0.28, 95% CI [- 0.49, 0.07]; 'No trauma-specific treatment available in my local area': b = - 0.25, 95% CI [- 0.51, - 0.01]). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide first evidence that a one-day training in trauma inquiry is effective in reducing common barriers to trauma inquiry, which may in turn improve detection of traumatic events.

A multisite randomized controlled trial of Seeking Safety vs. Relapse Prevention Training for women with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders.

Background: Co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUD) are associated with a more severe course and worse outcome than either disorder alone. In Europe, few treatments have been evaluated for PTSD and SUD. Seeking Safety, a manualized, integrated, cognitive-behavioural treatment, has been shown to be effective in studies in the USA. Objective: To test the efficacy of Seeking Safety plus treatment as usual (TAU) in female outpatients with PTSD and SUD compared to Relapse Prevention Training (RPT) plus TAU and TAU alone. Method: In five German study centres a total of N = 343 women were randomized into one of the three study conditions. PTSD severity (primary outcome), substance use, depression and emotion dysregulation (secondary outcomes) were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, as well as at three months and six months post-treatment. Results: Treatment participants attended M = 6.6 sessions (Seeking Safety) and M = 6.1 sessions (RPT). In an intent-to-treat analysis, Seeking Safety plus TAU, RPT plus TAU and TAU alone showed comparable decreases in PTSD severity over the course of the study. Seeking Safety plus TAU showed superior efficacy to TAU alone on depression and emotion regulation and RPT plus TAU was more effective than TAU alone on number of substance-free days and alcohol severity. Minimum-dose analyses suggest additional effects of both programmes among participants who attended at least eight group sessions. Conclusions: With respect to PTSD symptoms, a brief dose of Seeking Safety and RPT in addition to TAU was not superior to TAU alone in women with PTSD and SUD. However, Seeking Safety and RPT showed greater reductions than TAU alone in other domains of psychopathology and substance use outcomes respectively. Future studies should investigate further variables, such as what aspects of each treatment appeal to particular patients and how best to disseminate them.

Antecedentes: La presentación concomitante del trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) y los trastornos por uso de sustancias (TUS) se asocia a un curso más severo y a un peor pronóstico que el que presentan ambos trastornos por separado. En Europa, se han evaluado pocos tratamientos para el trastorno de estrés postraumático asociado a trastornos por uso de sustancias. 'Seeking Safety' ('Búsqueda de Seguridad'), un tratamiento cognitivo-conductual integrado y que cuenta con manuales de tratamiento, ha mostrado ser efectivo en estudios realizados en los Estados Unidos.Objetivo: Probar la eficacia de 'Búsqueda de Seguridad' asociado al tratamiento usual (TU) en pacientes de sexo femenino con TEPT y TUS, comparada con el Entrenamiento para la Prevención de Recaídas (EPR por sus siglas en inglés) asociado a TU, y comparada con el TU únicamente.Método: Se aleatorizó un total de N=343 mujeres de cinco sedes de estudio alemanas a cada uno de los grupos de estudio. Se evaluaron la severidad del TEPT (resultado primario), el uso de sustancias, la depresión, y la disregulación emocional (resultados secundarios) al inicio, luego de finalizar la intervención, y a los tres y seis meses luego del tratamiento.Resultados: Las participantes asistieron a un promedio de 6,6 sesiones de 'Búsqueda de Seguridad' y de 6,1 sesiones de EPR. Luego de realizar el análisis por intención a tratar, 'Búsqueda de Seguridad' asociado a TU, EPR asociado a TU, y el TU mostraron una disminución comparable en la severidad del TEPT durante el curso del estudio. 'Búsqueda de Seguridad' asociado a TU mostró una eficacia superior comparada con únicamente el TU sobre la depresión y la disregulación emocional, y el EPR asociado al TU fue más efectivo que únicamente el TU en el número días libres de sustancias y en la severidad del consumo de alcohol. Los análisis de dosis mínima sugirieron efectos adicionales de ambos programas sobre las participantes que asistieron a un mínimo de ocho sesiones grupales.Conclusiones: En relación a síntomas de TEPT, una dosis breve de 'Búsqueda de Seguridad' y EPR asociado a TU no fueron superiores que únicamente el TU en mujeres con TEPT asociado a TUS. Sin embargo, 'Buscando Seguridad' y el EPR mostraron una mayor reducción que únicamente el TU tanto en otros dominios psicopatológicos como en resultados evaluados para el uso de sustancias. Los estudios a realizarse a futuro deberían investigar variables adicionales, tales como qué aspectos de cada tratamiento van mejor con ciertos tipos particulares de pacientes, y en la mejor manera de diseminarlos.

The dissociative subtype of PTSD in women with substance use disorders: Exploring symptom and exposure profiles.

The dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was officially introduced in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). In accordance with this new classification, prior studies using Latent Class Analysis (LCA) empirically identified a subgroup of patients that were characterized by a high severity of dissociative symptoms. Despite the high prevalence of PTSD in patients with substance use disorders (SUD), however, no LCA studies on the dissociative subtype of PTSD exist in this population so far. Therefore, the current study aimed to identify subgroups of patients with different symptom and exposure profiles in patients with SUD and PTSD. It was assumed that one symptom and exposure profile could be identified that would be characterized by higher dissociative symptoms, higher additional psychopathology and a higher burden of childhood trauma, as compared to other subgroups. In N = 258 female patients with SUD and PTSD, clinical characteristics of dissociative symptoms, PTSD severity, borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, childhood trauma and substance abuse were assessed. To identify symptom and exposure profiles, Latent Class Analysis was applied. A three-class solution indicated the best model fit to our data. One class was characterized by a high probability of dissociative symptoms (D-PTSD class), whereas the other two classes were characterized by lower probabilities of dissociative symptoms. The D-PTSD class encompassed 18.7% of the patients. In accordance with our hypothesis, the D-PTSD class showed higher probabilities of PTSD severity, borderline personality disorder symptoms, depressive symptoms, childhood emotional and sexual abuse, childhood emotional neglect, and drug abuse. Our results indicate that the dissociative subtype of PTSD could also be identified in a sample of female patients with SUD. Patients with SUD and PTSD characterized by the dissociative subtype showed more severe psychopathological symptoms than the remaining patients, indicating enhanced clinical needs for this vulnerable group.

Substance Abuse-Related Self-Stigma in Women with Substance Use Disorder and Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Self-stigma is a result of internalizing negative stereotypes by the affected person. Research on self-stigma in substance use disorders (SUD) is still scarce, especially regarding the role of childhood trauma and subsequent posttraumatic disorders. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the progressive model of self-stigma in women with SUD and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the predictive value of PTSD severity and childhood trauma experiences on self-stigma. METHOD: In a cross-sectional study with 343 women with SUD and PTSD, we used the Self-Stigma in Alcohol Dependency Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the PTSD Symptom Scale Interview (PSS-I), and to control for SUD severity and depression, the Addiction Severity Index Lite and the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted for each stage of self-stigma (aware-agree-apply-harm). RESULTS: The interrelated successive stages of self-stigma were largely confirmed. In the regression models, no significant effects of the PSS-I- and the CTQ-scores were observed at any stage of self-stigma. Agreeing with negative stereotypes was solely predicted by younger age, applying these stereotypes to oneself was higher in women with younger age, higher depression and SUD severity, and suffering from the application (harm) was only predicted by depression. CONCLUSIONS: The progressive model of self-stigma could be confirmed in women with SUD and PTSD, but PTSD severity and childhood trauma did not directly affect this process. Self-stigma appears to be related to depression in a stronger way than PTSD is related to women with SUD and PTSD.

"Learning how to ask": Effectiveness of a training for trauma inquiry and response in substance use disorder healthcare professionals.

CONTEXT: Exposure to traumatic events should be systematically assessed in health care services so that trauma-related treatment can be offered when appropriate. However, professionals often lack expertise in trauma inquiry and response, and therefore require training in this field. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether the "Learning how to ask" training for trauma inquiry and response (Read, Hammersley, & Rudegeair, 2007) is effective in increasing health care professionals' trauma inquiry behavior. METHOD: 148 professionals working in outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) services were cluster-randomized into an intervention or a waiting control group. The intervention group received a 1-day training and a refresher session 3 months later, while the control group received no training. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in the frequency of asking clients about traumatic events. Secondary outcomes were professionals' evaluation of the training, knowledge, attitudes toward and confidence in trauma inquiry and response. RESULTS: Change from baseline in the frequency of asking clients about traumatic events was significantly greater at 3-month and 6-month follow-up in the intervention group compared with the control group (b = 0.43, 95% CI [0.27, 0.59], p < .001). The training was positively evaluated by the participants. Knowledge, positive attitudes toward and confidence in trauma inquiry and response all showed significantly greater increases in the intervention group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that health care professionals can acquire skills in trauma inquiry and response from short trainings, which may enhance systematic assessment of traumatic events. (PsycINFO Database Record

[Trauma, Resilience, and Emotion Regulation]. / Trauma, Resilienz und Emotionsregulation.

Background: History of childhood abuse and neglect is considered to be a relevant risk factor for adult psychopathology. A functional emotion regulation (ER) can account for resilience despite of traumatic experiences in childhood. Materials & Methods: This study compares the habitual use of specific ER strategies among mentally healthy individuals with (n=61) and without (n=52) experience of childhood abuse and neglect by using the self-rating instrument Heidelberg Form for Emotion Regulation Strategies (H-FERST). SCID-I, ADP-IV, SCL-27, and BDI-II were used for assessment of psychopathological distress. Results: We found no group difference in the habitual use of ER strategies. Healthy individuals with childhood abuse and neglect showed significantly more subjective distress symptoms. Discussion & Conclusion: Considering the significantly higher psychopathological distress reported by the trauma group, the functional habitual use of ER strategies could serve as a path to explain the resilient development of adult individuals after childhood abuse and neglect.

Substance use to regulate intense posttraumatic shame in individuals with childhood abuse and neglect.

Childhood abuse and neglect (CAN) is considered as a risk factor for substance use disorder (SUD). Based on the drinking to cope model, this study investigated the association of two trauma-relevant emotions (shame and sadness) and substance use. Using ecological momentary assessment we compared real-time emotion regulation in situations with high and low intensity of shame and sadness in currently abstinent patients with CAN and lifetime SUD (traumaSUD group), healthy controls with CAN (traumaHC group), and without CAN (nontraumaHC group). Multilevel analysis showed a positive linear relationship between high intensity of both emotions and substance use for all groups. The traumaSUD group showed heightened substance use in low, as well as in high, intensity of shame and sadness. In addition, we found an interaction between type of emotion, intensity, and group: the traumaHC group exhibited a fourfold increased risk for substance use in high intense shame situations relative to the traumaSUD group. Our findings provide evidence for the drinking to cope model. The traumaSUD group showed a reduced distress tolerance for variable intensity of negative emotions. The differential effect of intense shame for the traumaHC group emphazises its potential role in the development of SUD following CAN. In addition, shame can be considered a relevant focus for therapeutic preinterventions and interventions for SUD after CAN.

Does Emotion Dysregulation Mediate the Relationship between Early Maltreatment and Later Substance Dependence? Findings of the CANSAS Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Maltreatment in childhood and adolescence is a risk factor for substance use disorders (SUDs) in adulthood. This association has rarely been investigated in the light of emotion dysregulation. To fill this gap, this study examines emotion dysregulation and SUDs among adults with a history of early maltreatment. METHODS: Comparison of emotion dysregulation in adults with a history of early abuse and neglect who developed either an SUD (n = 105) or no mental disorder (n = 54). Further, a mediation model for the association between the severity of early maltreatment and SUDs was tested. Participants completed research diagnostic interviews for psychopathology, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. RESULTS: By using hierarchical regression techniques and mediational analyses controlling for age and gender, it was possible to provide evidence for the mediating role of emotion dysregulation between early emotional and physical maltreatment and later SUDs. CONCLUSIONS: Emotion dysregulation is a potential mechanism underlying the relationship between early emotional and physical maltreatment and the development of SUDs. In light of these findings, focusing on the early training of adaptive emotion regulation strategies after childhood maltreatment might be of considerable relevance to prevent the development of SUDs.

Non-prescribed use of opioid substitution medication: Patterns and trends in sub-populations of opioid users in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Non-prescribed use of opioid substitution medication (NPU) appears to represent a relevant source of opioids among European drug users. Little is known about the prevalence of NPU in Germany and possible differences between subgroups of opioid users. The present study examines NPU and other drug use patterns among drug consumption room (DCR) clients, opioid substituted DCR clients, and patients recruited in opioid substitution treatment (OST) practices. METHODS: Cross-sectional data was collected in 2011 from 842 opioid users in 10 DCRs and 12 OST practices across 11 German cities. Structured interviews comprised indicators for socio-demographics, health status, drug use, motives for NPU, and the availability and price of illicit substitution medication. Group differences were examined with one-way ANOVAs, chi-square tests, or t-tests, and factors for NPU were included in a multivariate model. Over-time comparisons were performed with similar data collected in 2008. RESULTS: Lifetime, 30-day and 24-h NPU prevalence for the total sample was 76.5%, 21.9%, and 9.3%, respectively, with methadone being the most frequently used substance. NPU, poly-drug use and injection drug use were more common among DCR clients, especially among DCR clients not in OST. The three groups featured distinct socio-demographic characteristics, with substituted patients being more socially integrated, while few differences in health parameters emerged. Motives for NPU were mostly related to potential shortcomings of OST, such as insufficient dosages, difficulties with transportation, and lack of access. NPU prevalence was found to be higher than in 2008, while injection rate of substitution medication was similarly low. Main factors associated with NPU were not being in OST, past 24-h use of other drugs, and younger age. CONCLUSION: Although diverted methadone or buprenorphine are rarely used as main drugs, NPU is prevalent among opioid users, particularly among DCR clients not in OST. OST reduces NPU if opioid users' needs are met.