Turning the Tides: Coping with Trauma and Addiction through Residential Adolescent Group Therapy

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Nursing

Background:

• Adolescent females in residential treatment often experience co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD).
• Integrated treatment approaches are crucial for addressing complex trauma and addiction in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate an evidence-based group therapy program for female adolescents with PTSD and SUD in an inpatient setting.
• To assess the impact of integrated trauma and addiction treatment on patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice guided the project.
• The curriculum integrated trauma recovery models (Herman, STAIR) and established programs (Seeking Safety, VOICES).
• The Child PTSD Symptoms Scale was used for outcome assessment.

Main Results:

• Participants reported decreased PTSD symptoms and functional impairment.
• A statistically significant increase in the use of as-needed medications was observed post-therapy.
• Patients expressed a desire to engage and increased trust in facilitators.

Conclusions:

• The integrated group therapy demonstrated positive outcomes in reducing PTSD symptoms and functional impairment.
• Increased medication use warrants further investigation within trauma-informed care frameworks.
• Psychiatric nursing can enhance patient care through evidence-based, integrated interventions.