Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Patients with Substance-Related Disorders in the Restive A

• Main Authors: Chonnakarn Jatchavala, Arnont Vittayanont
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Prince of Songkla University 2017-04-01
• Series: Journal of Health Science and Medical Research (JHSMR)
• Subjects: post-traumatic stress disorder; south thailand insurgency; substance
• Online Access: https://www.jhsmr.org/index.php/jhsmr/article/view/119

Objective: To study the primary clinical characteristics and prevalence of post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) symptom among patients with substance-related disorder living within the areas of Thailand, affected by insurgency. Material and Method: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey based on self-administered questionnaires which included questions relating to: personal information, traumatic experiences and the Thai version of post-traumatic stress disorder check-list (Thai PCL.) The subjects were patients with substance-related disorders at Thanyarak Pattani Hospital. This information was gathered by psychiatric nurses during the period within the periods 1st of April through 30th of June, 2016. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the demographic characteristics of the patients. Results: Ninety-two patients were enrolled in the study, all male with a mean age of 28.8±7.3 years. They were mostly single, Muslim and had graduated from elementary school. Most of them denied a family history of addiction, however, many indicated one or more male siblings had misused some illegal drug. No psychiatric disorder was diagnosed or recorded by the hospital. The most common substances used among these substance-related disorders patients were methamphetamines (36.9%) and opioids (30.4%) with “heavy use”. The prevalence of PTSD symptoms by the Thai PCL screening test was 4.3% (n=4). The 4 patients with a positive PCL result, reported that they felt terrified whenever violent situations in the unrest areas were announced. Three of them also stated for always felt extreme panic in order to delay evacuation, as well as experiencing a direct threat to their own life, or that of their family, having seen serious injuries and/or death of their peers and neighbors. Conclusion: The most common substances used in the areas affected by the insurgency of southern Thailand were methamphetamines and opioids. There was no dual diagnosis of psychiatric disorders recorded and the prevalence of PTSD symptoms among patients with substance related disorders was 4.3%. Most of those, who were suspected of having PTSD, had experienced threats to themselves or family, witnessed serious injuries or the death of peers and neighbors.