| The use of alcohol and drugs to self-medicate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20186981 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: Self-medication has been proposed as an explanation for the high rates of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders; however, knowledge of self-medication in PTSD is scarce. We describe the prevalence and correlates of self-medication in PTSD in the general population. METHODS: Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 2 (N=34,653; response rate: 70.2%), a nationally representative survey of mental illness in community-dwelling adults. Self-medication was assessed separately for alcohol and drugs. Prevalence rates were determined for self-medication among individuals with DSM-IV PTSD. Regression analyses determined associations between self-medication and a variety of correlates, including sociodemographic factors, comorbid mental disorders, suicide attempts, and quality of life. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of individuals with PTSD used substances in an attempt to relieve their symptoms. Men were significantly more likely than women to engage in self-medication behavior. In adjusted models, using illicit drugs or misusing prescription medications to control PTSD symptoms was associated with a substantially higher likelihood of dysthymia and borderline personality disorder. After controlling for mental disorder comorbidity, self-medication was independently associated with higher odds of suicide attempts (adjusted odds ratio=2.46; 95% confidence interval 1.53-3.97) and lower mental health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Self-medication is a common behavior among people with PTSD in the community, yet has potentially hazardous consequences. Health care practitioners should assess reasons for substance use among people with PTSD to identify a subgroup with higher psychiatric morbidity. |
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Authors:
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Murdoch Leeies; Jina Pagura; Jitender Sareen; James M Bolton |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Depression and anxiety Volume: 27 ISSN: 1520-6394 ISO Abbreviation: Depress Anxiety Publication Date: 2010 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-08-09 Completed Date: 2010-12-28 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9708816 Medline TA: Depress Anxiety Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 731-6 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
Affiliation:
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Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*, psychology* Borderline Personality Disorder / epidemiology, psychology Comorbidity Cross-Sectional Studies Dysthymic Disorder / epidemiology, psychology Female Health Surveys Humans Longitudinal Studies Male Middle Aged Odds Ratio Quality of Life / psychology Self Medication / psychology*, statistics & numerical data* Statistics as Topic Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis, epidemiology*, psychology* Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*, psychology* Young Adult |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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152348//Canadian Institutes of Health Research |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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