title: Treatment of co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders.
abstract: There is a significant need for advanced understanding of treatment of co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUD). Approximately half of individuals seeking SUD treatment meet criteria for current PTSD, and individuals with co-occurring PTSD-SUD tend to have poorer treatment outcomes compared with those without such comorbidity. However, there is not sufficient empirical evidence to determine a best course of treatment for these individuals. This paper provides a review of the literature relevant to the treatment of co-occurring PTSD-SUD. To date, treatment studies have focused primarily on non-exposure-based psychosocial treatments, exposure-based psychosocial treatments, and medication trials. The most promising outcome data thus far are for psychosocial treatments that incorporate an exposure therapy component; however, further research is needed, particularly as related to how best to implement these approaches in real-world treatment settings.
authors: Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 East Leigh Street, Biotech One, PO Box 980126, Richmond, VA 23298-0126, USA. ecberenz@vcu.edu
authors: Erin C
authors: EC
authors: Berenz
authors: Scott F
authors: SF
authors: Coffey
mesh_terms: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors