Because PTSD is a diagnosis based on experiencing a traumatic event, the high prevalence is related to the higher baseline rates of trauma and violence suffered by these participants. When examining the lifetime prevalence of PTSD amongst those who have experienced a traumatic event (i.e., conditional risk of PTSD), the prevalence in both groups increases: cocaine dependent cases 24%, community-based individuals 14%. Of the entire sample, more than 19% reported conditional PTSD. Though men were more likely to be exposed to different types of trauma, women were more likely to meet criteria for conditional risk of PTSD (cases W: 30.2% v. M: 17.2%; community-based W: 17.1% v. M: 10.6%).
