title: Case report on the use of cognitive processing therapy-cognitive, enhanced to address heavy alcohol use.
abstract: There is a high rate of co-occurring alcohol dependence (AD) in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is an effective treatment for individuals diagnosed with PTSD. CPT-Cognitive (CPT-C) is a modified form of CPT. This case report describes a 12-week course of CPT-C treatment, enhanced to address heavy alcohol use, in a combat veteran with PTSD and co-occurring AD. By treatment end, the veteran demonstrated clinically significant improvement in both PTSD symptoms and alcohol-related problems and sustained these gains 12-weeks posttreatment. The results indicate promise for the use of CPT-C, enhanced for heavy alcohol use, for individuals diagnosed with PTSD and AD.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration Connecticut Healthcare System, USA. Elissa.mccarthy@va.gov
authors.forename: Elissa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Ismene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Petrakis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*