Photo Credit: Finn Hafemann
A review published in Current Psychiatry Reports focused on the prevalence, care, and best practices for addressing PTSD in patients with SUD.
Studies have shown that there is a high comorbidity rate between substance use disorders (SUDs) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The co-occurrence of these two conditions has been found to impede the completion of SUD treatment and is often associated with a worse prognosis.
A recent review published in Current Psychiatry Reports focused on the prevalence, etiology, care, and best practices for addressing PTSD in an SUD treatment facility. This review provides recommendations for healthcare professionals related to improving screening, assessment, and symptom monitoring of patients with SUD and PTSD.
Lead author Samantha C. Patton, PhD, spoke with Physician’s Weekly (PW) about the review’s significance.
PW: Why did this topic need exploration?
Dr. Patton: Too often, treatment providers and clinics focus on treating either substance use or other mental health concerns when current recommendations urge integrated treatment. An individual entering treatment for substance use is about two to four times more likely than someone without a SUD also to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.
We wanted to review the current literature to highlight that these diagnoses often accompany each other and provide information and recommendations on how to screen, assess, and treat both diagnoses and best serve the individuals who enter treatment.
What are the most important findings from your research?
Something I hope more providers of substance use treatment are aware of after reading this article is that there are easy ways to screen everyone who walks in their door for PTSD and good reasons to do so. This information could inform possible referrals but could also provide a case for gaining additional training in PTSD assessment and evidence-based treatment. Treatments exist that work to target both substance use and PTSD.
What makes this issue urgent in the healthcare landscape?
When someone meets the criteria for SUD and PTSD, they typically present with more significant distress, have more difficulty completing treatment, and generally have a worse prognosis. Providing integrated or concurrent treatment of both substance use and PTSD has the potential to improve patient outcomes with more efficiency, saving the patient time and money in addition to helping them heal. It can also reduce the burden and cost on the patient and the healthcare system.
