The Impact of Severe Trauma Exposure in Late Childhood on Longitudinal Treatment Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults in Treatment for Drug Use Disorders: A Record-Linkage Study

IntroductionThe relationship between childhood trauma and negative outcomes after treatment of substance use disorders has mainly been reported based on survey studies. The current study aimed to assess the association between trauma history and treatment outcomes using registry data.MethodsAdolescents and young adults enrolled in treatment for drug use disorders during 2007 to 2018 (n = 6907) were tracked from enrolment to first registered drop-out from substance use disorder treatment, substance-related hospital care, psychiatric care, criminal conviction, and unemployment in the year after treatment enrolment. The impact of trauma exposure (severe accident, physical violence, and/or sexual assault and abuse) in late childhood on associations with outcomes was examined.ResultsPhysical violence was associated with offending after treatment enrolment and unemployment. Sexual assault and abuse were associated with receiving hospital-based care for psychiatric diagnoses or substance use disorders.ConclusionHospital recorded exposure to traumatic events in late childhood might be predictive of negative outcomes in the years after treatment for substance use disorders.