Date of Graduation

Spring 5-18-2023

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Department/Program

Nursing

Program

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

First Advisor

Dr. Trinette Radasa, DNP, ACNS-BC, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Second Advisor

Dr. Alexa Curtis, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAANP

Abstract

Background: This DNP project aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing trauma-informed care to Ria Health's telehealth AUD MAT recovery treatment model for patients with co-occurring PTSD, targeting high relapse rates due to cravings. Trauma-informed care addresses traumatic histories that can potentiate emotional dysregulation leading to maladaptive coping responses manifesting as cravings with addiction memory.

Methods: An integrated review assessed the prevalence of co-occurrence of AUD and PTSD, assessed interest in Ria Health patients, patients recruited from Ria Health if they mentioned cravings, offered concurrent trauma-informed care with medicated assisted treatment for 16-20 sessions, trauma-informed care used Polyvagal Theory techniques and EMDR to address addiction memory in the craving cycle manifesting as a craving. The OCDS and NPSS were used pre/post to assess cravings and patients' perceptions of internal safety.

Outcome: Trauma-informed care pre/post-participant self-reporting data showed statistically significant improvements in all scales and subscales post-treatment, including total cravings (55%) and compulsion on the OCDS, NPSS showed statistically significant changes in total score (79%), social engagement (85%), compassion demonstrating trauma-informed care interventions effective and warrants more research.

Conclusion: Concurrent trauma-informed care effectively improved the felt sense of safety and capability, helped control cravings, prevented relapse, and enabled the ability for trauma reprocessing.

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