Substance use disorders and PTSD: An exploratory study of treatment preferences among military veterans

• Almost all Veterans perceived a relationship between PTSD and substance use disorder symptoms.
• PTSD symptom exacerbation was typically (85.3%) associated with increased substance use.
• PTSD symptom improvement was typically (61.8%) associated with decreased substance use.
• Over half of Veterans indicated a preference for integrated psychotherapy.

BackgroundSubstance 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.MethodsParticipants 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsAlthough 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.