Trauma exposure across the lifespan among individuals engaged in treatment with medication for opioid use disorder: differences by gender, PTSD status, and chronic pain

Background: Limited research has been conducted on lifetime trauma exposure among individuals undergoing medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD). A multisite study provided an opportunity to investigate the prevalence of lifetime trauma and variations by gender, PTSD status, and chronic pain.

Methods: A cross-sectional study analyzed baseline data from participants (N = 303) enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a mind–body intervention alongside MOUD. All participants were stabilized on MOUD. Measures included the Trauma Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ), the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5). Analyses included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and linear and logistic regression.

Results: Participants identified themselves as women (n = 157), men (n = 144), and non-binary (n = 2). Fifty-seven percent (n = 172) reported chronic pain, and 41% (n = 124) scored above the PTSD screening cut-off. Women reported significantly more intimate partner violence (85% vs. 73%) and adult sexual assault (57% vs. 13%), while men reported more physical assault (81% vs. 61%) and witnessing trauma (66% vs. 48%). Both men and women experienced substantial childhood physical abuse, witnessed intimate partner violence as children, and had similar exposure to accidents as adults. The number of traumatic events predicted PTSD symptom severity and diagnostic status. Participants with chronic pain had significantly more traumatic events in childhood compared to those without chronic pain (85% vs. 75%).

Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of lifetime trauma among individuals in MOUD. Findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive assessment and mental health services to address trauma in MOUD treatment.