Treatment challenges associated with comorbid substance use and posttraumatic stress disorder: clinicians' perspectives

Am J Addict. 2009 Jan-Feb;18(1):15-20. doi: 10.1080/10550490802545141.

Abstract

A significant proportion of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) meet criteria for comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This comorbidity confers a more complicated clinical presentation that carries with it formidable treatment challenges for practitioners. The current study examined sources of difficulty and gratification among clinicians (N = 423) from four national organizations who completed an anonymous questionnaire. As expected, the findings revealed that comorbid SUD/PTSD was rated as significantly more difficult to treat than either disorder alone. The most common challenges associated with treating SUD/PTSD patients included knowing how to best prioritize and integrate treatment components, patient self-destructiveness and severe symptomatology, and helping patients abstain from substance use. The findings increase understanding of SUD/PTSD treatment challenges, and may be useful for enhancing therapist training programs, supervision effectiveness, and designing optimal SUD/PTSD interventions.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)*
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Care*
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / complications
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / complications*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome