BACKGROUND: The integration of trauma-informed interventions for justice-involved women into SUD treatment is a key strategy for mitigating overdose risk. Coupling the unique overdose risk factors for women with their histories of violent victimization and related trauma, overdose intervention approaches for women must be engaging, targeted, and trauma-informed.
METHODS: This study utilizes a type 1 hybrid effectiveness and implementation trial to examine an innovative trauma-informed intervention for justice-involved women (N = 264) in corrections-based substance use treatment during the transition from jail to the community. By equipping women with relational, coping, and emotional regulation skills to manage trauma-related reactions, they are expected to gain the tools and strategies needed to reduce their risk of returning to substance use after release.
DISCUSSION: The importance of knowledge gained through this study is grounded in the national public health crisis associated with overdose deaths, largely associated with the opioid epidemic, but also related to unique issues faced by women and the limited, targeted, trauma-informed overdose prevention interventions for this population. This study that has the potential to significantly reduce overdose risk among justice-involved women with a history of violent victimization and related trauma.
Trauma-informed intervention to reduce substance use and to support community transition [TRUST]: Study protocol for a type 1 effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial to reduce overdose risk among justice-involved women
Trials [Epub 2026 Apr 20]. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09715-2.