History of reported head trauma in a sample of women in substance abuse treatment

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of history of head trauma, causes of such trauma, and the associated chronic sequelae in a sample of women in chemical dependency treatment programs. Participants: A total of 2,198 females of varied ethnic and racial backgrounds participating in substance abuse treatment programs. Measure: Head trauma questionnaire eliciting information via subject report on history of head trauma, cause of such head trauma, and specific chronic sequelae resulting from the head trauma. Results: Nine hundred thirty (42.3%) of the subjects reported history of at least one head trauma; 754 (34.3%) reported the head trauma having had occurred by another person. Data on reported chronic residual sequelae from the bead trauma as well as breakdown by ethnic/racial group is also provided. Conclusions: The prevalence of history of head trauma along with reported sequelae as a result of such in this sample suggests that head trauma may certainly be a significant factor in persons presenting for substance abuse treatment. Assessing for a history of head trauma and associated sequelae in persons presenting in substance abuse treatment programs may be clinically appropriate as such sequelae have been found to adversely affect treatment progress. Further discussion on implications of the results of this research as well as discussion on further research in the area are provided.