“It's how they found relief and comfort from all the tragedies that life throws at them on a regular basis”: Exploring the association between trauma, opioid use, and opioid use disorder in Washington D.C.

Abstract

In Washington D.C, African American residents of underserved neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by opioid use (OU), opioid use disorder (OUD), and opioid overdose deaths (OOD), highlighting the need for a more effective intervention to address these issues. Existing literature indicates an association between OUD and trauma, but this relationship is minimally explored in urban, African American communities. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the association between trauma, OU, and OUD from the perspective of community leaders and clinicians (N=78) working in Wards 7&8 of DC, the neighborhoods hardest hit by the problem. Data showed that interpersonal and intergenerational trauma contributed directly to OU and OUD, and that historical trauma and structural violence act synergistically with other traumas to contribute to OU and OUD. Findings suggest a need for early interventions to address the harmful effects of interpersonal and intergenerational trauma and underscore a need for culturally informed political and socio-economic interventions to address structural violence and historical trauma that perpetuate trauma, OU, and OUD.