Treatment of co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders

Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2012 Oct;14(5):469-77. doi: 10.1007/s11920-012-0300-0.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Deterrents / therapeutic use*
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / etiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / etiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*

Substances

  • Alcohol Deterrents
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors