| Abstract: | Background: Self‐medication has been proposed as an explanation for the high rates of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders; however, knowledge of self‐medication in PTSD is scarce. We describe the prevalence and correlates of self‐medication in PTSD in the general population. Methods: Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 2 (N=34,653; response rate: 70.2%), a nationally representative survey of mental illness in community‐dwelling adults. Self‐medication was assessed separately for alcohol and drugs. Prevalence rates were determined for self‐medication among individuals with DSM‐IV PTSD. Regression analyses determined associations between self‐medication and a variety of correlates, including sociodemographic factors, comorbid mental disorders, suicide attempts, and quality of life. Results: Approximately 20% of individuals with PTSD used substances in an attempt to relieve their symptoms. Men were significantly more likely than women to engage in self‐medication behavior. In adjusted models, using illicit drugs or misusing prescription medications to control PTSD symptoms was associated with a substantially higher likelihood of dysthymia and borderline personality disorder. After controlling for mental disorder comorbidity, self‐medication was independently associated with higher odds of suicide attempts (adjusted odds ratio=2.46; 95% confidence interval 1.53–3.97) and lower mental health‐related quality of life. Conclusions: Self‐medication is a common behavior among people with PTSD in the community, yet has potentially hazardous consequences. Health care practitioners should assess reasons for substance use among people with PTSD to identify a subgroup with higher psychiatric morbidity. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. |
