The Association Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Problematic Alcohol and Cannabis Use in a Multi-Ethnic Cohort in The Netherlands: The HELIUS Study

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2024 Oct 26

PMID 39457318

Authors

Christin Kuhner

Joanne P Will

Sera A Lortye

Henrike Galenkamp

Anja Lok

Mirjam van Zuiden

Arnoud R Arntz

Kathleen Thomaes

Anna E Goudriaan

Marleen M de Waal

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

(1) Background: Ethnic minorities exhibit a higher prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while results for problematic substance use among ethnic groups remain mixed. PTSD and problematic substance use often co-occur; however, the impact of ethnicity on this association has not yet been investigated. (2) Methods: Self-report data on problematic alcohol/cannabis use (AUDIT/CUDIT) and presence of severe PTSD symptoms (PSS-SR) of = 22,841 participants of Dutch ( = 4610), South-Asian Surinamese ( = 3306), African Surinamese ( = 4349), Ghanaian ( = 2389), Turkish ( = 3947), and Moroccan ( = 4240) origin were available from the HELIUS study. (3) Results: We found a positive association between the presence of severe PTSD symptoms and problematic alcohol and cannabis use. Ethnicity did not moderate the association between the presence of severe PTSD symptoms and problematic alcohol/cannabis use. (4) Conclusions: We demonstrated the relationship between the presence of severe PTSD symptoms and problematic alcohol/cannabis use in a multi-ethnic sample. The relationship between the presence of severe PTSD symptoms and problematic alcohol/cannabis use was similar between ethnic groups. We recommend screening for PTSD symptoms in those exhibiting problematic substance use and vice versa, regardless of ethnic background.

Citing Articles

Recovery Horizons: Nature-Based Activities as Adjunctive Treatments for Co-Occurring Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders.

Shirazi A, Brody A, Soltani M, Lang A Am J Lifestyle Med. 2024; :15598276241300475.

PMID: 39563987 PMC: 11571177. DOI: 10.1177/15598276241300475.

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