Addressing Substance Abuse Among Gender-Based Violence Survivors: A Systematic Review of Trauma-Informed Care in Adama City Women’s Shelters

Abstract

Fikadu Getachew Mideksa

In this study, the integration of trauma-informed care (TIC) within substance abuse treatment is addressed with emphasis on how it works towards treating the mental health issues of survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Adama city women shelters. A Systematic review of the literature from 2020 to 2025, focusing on trauma-informed care models, how they are used in substance abuse treatment, and their impact among GBV survivors. The study is carried out by systematic review of literature, applying peer-reviewed literature from databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO. Key studies addressing the convergence of trauma, substance use disorders (SUDs), and public health interventions are examined. The review identifies 28 key studies that reveal the relationship between GBV and drug abuse, demonstrating that TIC significantly enhances treatment utilization, psychological health, and relapse prevention. Implementation challenges like lack of trained professionals and funding limitations are also revealed in these studies. In conclusions, trauma-informed care is a fundamental component of effective substance abuse treatment among GBV survivors. Alleviating structural barriers and providing more trauma-sensitive treatments in rehabilitation settings can enhance recovery, reduce relapse rates, and promote long-term well-being. Further studies are needed to evaluate the scalability of TIC models in a range of different healthcare settings.

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