A study published last month in Substance Abuse from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work found that there may be a connection between adults with PTSD’s depressive symptoms and their chance of opioid misuse.
The study collected information from surveys filled out at a southwestern PA pharmacy by those who were filling opioid prescriptions. There were 333 responses.
Of the responses, 15.9% reported opioid misuse, 17.1% suffered from PTSD, and 52.6% struggled with depression. Those who struggled with PTSD or depression had a 29% to 33% chance of abusing opioids.
“These data suggest that patients with PTSD and depression are at a greater risk for opioid misuse and, thus, there is an increased need for screening, assessment, and intervention protocols for this patient population,” reported the study.
Read more about the study here, and learn more about co-occurring disorders here. If you struggle with opioid misuse - there is hope. Check out Nightcapjournal to learn more.
Photo by Hannah Skelly on Unsplash
