drug-abusing woman has to develop trusting relationships with other women. For
women who have been traumatized and abused, group interventions may be the
treatment of choice to help them cope with feelings of shame, guilt, mistrust, and
profound isolation. ( Winnick, Levine & Stone, 1991; Alexander, Neimeyer, &
Follette, 1991; Apolinsky & Wilcoxin, 1991; Hays, 1987; Marsh & Miller, 1985).

In collaboration with the authors of this study, Panzer and Green ( 1996)
developed a group treatment curriculum for people in recovery from addiction and
psychological trauma. The curriculum, entitled Connecting and Coping, is de-
signed to help clients: 1) create personal safety; 2) recall and mourn the past; and
3) reconnect to the world. These goals reflect the first three stages of trauma
recovery as elaborated by Herman ( 1992). Groups are conducted weekly and should
be facilitated by trained peers whenever possible. Suggested material for group
discussions includes, but is not limited to, the following: identification of emotional
reactions (including anger and rage) and their triggers, effects of trauma and
substance abuse on relationships, forgiving, forgetting, honesty, loss, humor, money
management, sacrifice, work, self-reliance, and a substantial examination of prob-
lem-solving techniques. (A copy of the Connecting and Coping curriculum is
available from the authors.)

Much work remains to be done if the health and human services system is to
perform more effectively for women. Special attention is needed to identify, assess,
and treat the negative psychosocial sequelae resulting from traumatic life events.
This chapter has demonstrated the association between the experience of trauma
and substance abuse during pregnancy. The Traumatic Life Events Inventory can
be used as either a clinical tool or an evaluation instrument to identify and treat
trauma in populations of substance-abusing women. In addition, a psychoeduca-
tional model of group treatment with promise for success was outlined. It is hoped
that clinicians and practitioners attempting to serve women in stressful life circum-
stances will use these tools and suggestions in an effort to make the service delivery
system more responsive to the needs of women who have been victimized.

-106-