A pilot study of twice-weekly group-based written exposure therapy for veterans in residential substance use treatment: effects on PTSD and depressive symptoms
Abstract Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly comorbid with substance use disorders (SUDs), resulting in high prevalence of PTSD among individuals in residential SUD care. However, there is limited research on integrating trauma treatment into residential SUD care settings. The...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-024-00531-0 |
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| author | Natalia Van Doren Fang-Hsi Chang Amanda Nguyen Kevin R. McKenna Derek D. Satre Shannon Wiltsey-Stirman |
| author_facet | Natalia Van Doren Fang-Hsi Chang Amanda Nguyen Kevin R. McKenna Derek D. Satre Shannon Wiltsey-Stirman |
| author_sort | Natalia Van Doren |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly comorbid with substance use disorders (SUDs), resulting in high prevalence of PTSD among individuals in residential SUD care. However, there is limited research on integrating trauma treatment into residential SUD care settings. The aim of the present project was to conduct an initial evaluation of the effects of group-based Written Exposure Therapy (WET) on PTSD and depressive symptoms that was integrated into programming for individuals in residential SUD treatment. Methods Participants were 48 Veterans with comorbid PTSD-SUD from a 28 day residential SUD program at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Eligible participants were enrolled in 5 sessions of WET, delivered twice-weekly in an adapted group format. PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms were assessed at each session with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, DSM-5 version (PCL-5) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results Over 5 months, 76.2% of the target population were successfully enrolled. Of the enrolled sample, 48 participants, 92% (n = 44) completed 3 sessions, while 56% (n = 28) completed 5 sessions. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) showed significant within-person reductions in PTSD symptoms over time, with an average decrease of 3.18 per session (χ² = 23.21, p = .006) and moderate effect sizes (d = 0.46 and d = 0.51 at mid- and post-treatment). In addition, there were significant reductions in depressive symptoms within-persons over time, with an average per-session reduction of 1.13 (χ² = 23.10, p = .006). Conclusion Findings demonstrate that brief, group-delivered WET is feasible and shows promise for addressing PTSD and depressive symptoms in residential SUD treatment. Results of the present evaluation could inform further efficacy testing and implementation of PTSD treatment into residential SUD settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-78aa67806b414260b4beeffa3135ba90 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1940-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-78aa67806b414260b4beeffa3135ba902025-08-20T02:13:06ZengBMCAddiction Science & Clinical Practice1940-06402025-02-0120111410.1186/s13722-024-00531-0A pilot study of twice-weekly group-based written exposure therapy for veterans in residential substance use treatment: effects on PTSD and depressive symptomsNatalia Van Doren0Fang-Hsi Chang1Amanda Nguyen2Kevin R. McKenna3Derek D. Satre4Shannon Wiltsey-Stirman5Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of CaliforniaDepartment of Psychology, National Taiwan UniversityDepartment of Psychology, University of CaliforniaVA Palo Alto Healthcare SystemDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of CaliforniaVA Palo Alto Healthcare SystemAbstract Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly comorbid with substance use disorders (SUDs), resulting in high prevalence of PTSD among individuals in residential SUD care. However, there is limited research on integrating trauma treatment into residential SUD care settings. The aim of the present project was to conduct an initial evaluation of the effects of group-based Written Exposure Therapy (WET) on PTSD and depressive symptoms that was integrated into programming for individuals in residential SUD treatment. Methods Participants were 48 Veterans with comorbid PTSD-SUD from a 28 day residential SUD program at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Eligible participants were enrolled in 5 sessions of WET, delivered twice-weekly in an adapted group format. PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms were assessed at each session with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, DSM-5 version (PCL-5) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results Over 5 months, 76.2% of the target population were successfully enrolled. Of the enrolled sample, 48 participants, 92% (n = 44) completed 3 sessions, while 56% (n = 28) completed 5 sessions. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) showed significant within-person reductions in PTSD symptoms over time, with an average decrease of 3.18 per session (χ² = 23.21, p = .006) and moderate effect sizes (d = 0.46 and d = 0.51 at mid- and post-treatment). In addition, there were significant reductions in depressive symptoms within-persons over time, with an average per-session reduction of 1.13 (χ² = 23.10, p = .006). Conclusion Findings demonstrate that brief, group-delivered WET is feasible and shows promise for addressing PTSD and depressive symptoms in residential SUD treatment. Results of the present evaluation could inform further efficacy testing and implementation of PTSD treatment into residential SUD settings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-024-00531-0 |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Van Doren Fang-Hsi Chang Amanda Nguyen Kevin R. McKenna Derek D. Satre Shannon Wiltsey-Stirman A pilot study of twice-weekly group-based written exposure therapy for veterans in residential substance use treatment: effects on PTSD and depressive symptoms Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
| title | A pilot study of twice-weekly group-based written exposure therapy for veterans in residential substance use treatment: effects on PTSD and depressive symptoms |
| title_full | A pilot study of twice-weekly group-based written exposure therapy for veterans in residential substance use treatment: effects on PTSD and depressive symptoms |
| title_fullStr | A pilot study of twice-weekly group-based written exposure therapy for veterans in residential substance use treatment: effects on PTSD and depressive symptoms |
| title_full_unstemmed | A pilot study of twice-weekly group-based written exposure therapy for veterans in residential substance use treatment: effects on PTSD and depressive symptoms |
| title_short | A pilot study of twice-weekly group-based written exposure therapy for veterans in residential substance use treatment: effects on PTSD and depressive symptoms |
| title_sort | pilot study of twice weekly group based written exposure therapy for veterans in residential substance use treatment effects on ptsd and depressive symptoms |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-024-00531-0 |
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