The feasibility, meaningfulness, and preliminary effect of trauma focused treatment for drug use disorders in Denmark

Background: Seeking Safety and Creating Change are integrated trauma focused interventions for substance use disorders (SUDs) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a Danish multi-center study, the level of implementation, feasibility and efficacy of the two methods were examined.  

Methods: Data from 80 patients in treatment for a drug use disorder, 32 counselors, and the managers from five public treatment centers in Denmark were included in the study. In two of the treatment centers the counsellors were trained in conducting Creating Change and in three centers they were trained in conduction Seeking Safety. For a period of nine months, counsellors practiced the two trauma focused treatments on clients who reported PTSD symptoms. Counsellors and managers were surveyed before and after the enrollment period and each client filled out a questionaire before and six months after treatment enrollment. In addition, the treatment sessions were audio recorded and analysed in order to determine the level of implementation.

Results: Both interventions were well-implemented. Counsellors and clients reported high levels of satisfaction and meaningfulness in realtion to both methods. Approximately 90% of the clients reported that they preferred a trauma focused intervention. All managers reported that they would continue to focus on the association between traumatization and substance use after the study.

N.B. The data collection will be completed in january 2024 and the final analyses will be ready for dissemination for the conference. 

Conclusions: Findings support the implementation and use of Seeking Safety and Creating Change in Danish SUD settings.