Trauma exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol and other drug use among Australian public safety personnel.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the rates of workplace trauma exposure, probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol and other drug use among Australian public safety personnel (PSP). It also identified factors associated with hazardous or harmful alcohol and other drug use.

Method: Data were collected through an online survey distributed to PSP in three Australian agencies between May and October 2021. A total of 539 PSP completed the survey. The survey included questions about demographic and work-based characteristics, trauma exposure, PTSD and alcohol and other drug use.

Results: Most participants (86.8%) had experienced at least one type of traumatic event at work. Probable PTSD was identified in 39.4% of respondents. Hazardous or harmful alcohol use was reported by 33.1% of participants, while 13.3% reported harmful drug use. Analyses revealed that probable PTSD and higher numbers of workplace traumatic event types were significantly associated with greater odds of hazardous or harmful alcohol use (ORs 1.88 and 1.04, respectively). Identifying as female and meeting criteria for probable PTSD was associated with greater odds of harmful drug use (OR = 1.86) and identifying as male with lower odds of harmful drug use (OR = 0.23).

Conclusion: The study highlights the high prevalence of trauma exposure, probable PTSD and hazardous or harmful substance use among Australian PSP. The findings suggest a need for targeted interventions to address the mental health and substance use challenges in this population, particularly those aimed at mitigating the effects of workplace trauma and providing support for PTSD and substance use disorders.