Integrating treatment for alcohol use problems and comorbid post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

NDARC Staff

Claudia Sannibale, Maree Teesson, Katherine Mills, Kylie Sutherland, Kirsty Taylor, Delphine Bostock-Matusko and Marie-Andree Peek-O'Leary

Other Investigators

Thiagarajan Sitharthan and Alicia Visser (Australian Centre for Addiction Research), and Mark Creamer (Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health)

Aims

The study aims to determine the efficacy of an integrated cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention for PTSD and alcohol use problems in the treatment of these disorders in the general community. It aims to compare treatment for these problems delivered simultaneously with treatment for alcohol use alone.

Design and Method

This is a randomised controlled trial of CBT for PTSD and alcohol use problems. To be eligible, participants are required: to be 18 years or older; consume alcohol at risky levels (drinking ≥29 drinks per week for men and ≥15 drinks per week for women); meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD; be currently stable in terms of self-harm, suicide intent or psychosis; and have basic literacy in English. Participants are recruited from the general community, GPs, psychiatrists, specialist drug and alcohol and anxiety clinics, and a range of organizations. Recruitment and treatment is currently underway at four sites in Sydney (NDARC, Centre for Addiction Research, Western Sydney Area Health, Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Liverpool Hospital, Sydney South Western Area Health Service and Herbert Street Clinic, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service).

For information on participating in this study, please visit the NDARC Research Participation page.

Progress

One hundred and forty-four individuals have enquired about participation of which over 100 have been screened and 40 have been recruited to the study. Twenty-five post-treatment follow-up assessments have been completed to date which are showing marked, clinically significant, improvements in symptoms of PTSD and alcohol use problems in the study sample.

Funding

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)