Diagnosis Challenges when Substance Use and Trauma are Part of the Narrative: A Review of Human Trafficking Cases Among Women and Critical Points of Learning for the Mental Health Community

Human trafficking survivors often have a myriad of complex mental health issues because of their experiences. Research has shown there is a high correlation between substance use and post-traumatic stress disorder among survivors. The mental health challenges can become more complex when trauma and/or substance use is misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. The results of this study show the prevalence of both situations among a program serving adult female survivors from within the US. The study documents the more common inaccurate diagnoses for this population of women, and the change in diagnosis after a dedicated period of assessment was completed. The discussion includes lack of understanding of how trauma and substance use present in a clinical or medical setting, an overfocus on other symptoms, lack of education and training among law enforcement, courts, and community service providers, and the exacerbated problems for survivors because of the incorrect or inaccurate diagnoses.