Expressive writings’ efficiency (15 to 20 minutes over three to five days), efficacy, and low cost suggest that writing as a means for disclosing traumatic experiences may be a powerful adjunct to traditional SUD treatment. While there is a rise in negative affect immediately after trauma writing, it is usually transient and at follow-up, participants generally report that they feel better than they did before writing ( 19).Īlthough much attention has focused on benefits of Pennebaker’s expressive writing, to date, it has not been examined in populations affected by SUDs. Furthermore, research indicates no harm to participants has been encountered as a result of Pennebaker’s expressive writing. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which also employs writing about stressful events, has recently revealed decreases in PTSD and depression symptoms ( 18). The average effect size was comparable or larger than those found in other psychological, educational, or behavioral interventions ( 8). In a meta-analysis of expressive writing studies, Smyth ( 17) found a 23% symptom improvement in the traumatic disclosure writing condition over a control writing condition.

Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of expressive writing as a brief therapeutic intervention, with significant reductions in distress ( 8), and improved psychological ( 9) and physical health ( 10).įor instance, Pennebaker’s expressive writing has revealed that writing about a stressful or traumatic event is associated with a reduction in the degree to which the experience is distressing or painful ( 11), reduced depression among depressed women ( 12), a decrease in health center and doctor’s visits ( 10 13), fewer missed days of work or school ( 14), improved immune functioning ( 15), and decreases in sympathetic nervous system activity ( 16). Expressive writing involves writing about the most traumatic or stressful event of one’s life for 15 to 20 minutes a day over three to five consecutive days, and is typically done with no feedback given ( 7). The typical laboratory research for Pennebaker’s expressive writing involves randomly assigning individuals to one of two conditions (e.g., expressive writing versus control writing ). Recent research, however, suggests the opposite that trauma should be treated concurrently, even in the earliest stages of SUD treatment ( 6).Īccumulating evidence over the past two decades indicates that disclosure of traumatic or stressful experiences through Pennebaker’s expressive writing has widespread benefits. Among SUD treatment providers, the general consensus was that addressing trauma during the early phase of SUD recovery may “open Pandora’s box” and derail SUD treatment improvement ( 5). Historically, there has been an ongoing debate regarding which problem to treat first the trauma or the SUD.

While trauma interventions have traditionally not been incorporated into SUD treatment programs, studies indicate that addressing trauma during SUD treatment may improve treatment outcomes ( 5). Trauma and addiction comorbidity studies reveal these women are likely to have poorer health, increased disability, more severe clinical profiles, and poorer treatment adherence, than those without trauma or PTSD ( 4). As many as 80% of women seeking drug abuse treatment report lifetime histories of physical or sexual assault ( 2), and many display Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology ( 3). In SUD treatment settings, 55% to 99% of women report at least one lifetime trauma ( 1). Studies point to overwhelming rates of trauma in the lives of women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs).

Pandora recovery