Empirical examination of a Venn diagram heuristic for understanding the relationship between addiction, psychiatric comorbidity and trauma

Abstract

Addiction, psychiatric comorbidity and trauma are common among patients and associated with a more complex course and poorer prognosis. The lack of a framework for understanding these chronic, complex conditions creates difficulties for clinicians and patients. A Venn diagram heuristic was previously proposed to conceptualize the relationship between addiction, psychiatric illness and trauma ([Rojas, J. I. (2012). A Venn diagram heuristic for working with co-occurring disorders and trauma. Mental Health and Substance Use, iFirst Article, 1–10. doi:10.1080/17523281.2012.712050]). We were interested in examining the relationship between addiction, psychiatric illness and trauma via retrospective chart reviews among the participants evaluated in our outpatient program for impaired professionals. The current study sought to empirically examine the Venn diagram heuristic by using objective psychological test results from the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). Specifically, we sought to determine the degre...