title: Substance use disorders and PTSD: an exploratory study of treatment preferences among military veterans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Substance use disorders (SUDs) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) frequently co-occur among Veterans and are associated with poor treatment outcomes. Historically, treatments for SUDs and PTSD have been delivered sequentially and independently. More recently, however, integrated treatments have shown promise. This study investigated Veterans' perceptions of the interrelationship between SUDs and PTSD, as well as treatment preferences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 35 Veterans of recent military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and prior operations, who completed the Treatment Preferences Questionnaire as well as an in-depth interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority (94.3%) perceived a relationship between their SUD and PTSD symptoms. Veterans reported that PTSD symptom exacerbation was typically (85.3%) associated with an increase in substance use, and PTSD symptom improvement was typically (61.8%) followed by a decrease in substance use (p<.01). Approximately 66% preferred an integrated treatment approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although preliminary, the findings provide clinically-relevant information that can be used to enhance the development and provision of care for Veterans with SUDs and PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC, United States; Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC, United States. Electronic address: backs@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Sudie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Back
authors.forename: Therese K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Killeen
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Teer
authors.forename: Emily E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Hartwell
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Federline
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beylotte
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cox
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D047830:Gulf War; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Military; PTSD; Post traumatic stress disorder; Prolonged exposure; Substance use disorders