Combining treatments for alcohol use disorder and PTSD after sexual assault
Official title: Integrated Early Intervention for Alcohol Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Sexual Assault
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-10911810 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new five-session treatment for people who have experienced sexual assault and are dealing with alcohol problems and PTSD, to see if it can help them feel better and reduce their drinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $208,980 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AA028055-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911810 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who have recently experienced a sexual assault and are struggling with alcohol use and PTSD symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a sexual assault or those who do not have co-occurring AUD and PTSD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and test a new treatment approach for individuals who have experienced sexual assault and are struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The project will integrate two established cognitive-behavioral therapies into a five-session intervention that begins within six weeks of the assault. The research will involve adapting the treatment based on expert feedback, conducting a small trial to finalize the protocol, and then evaluating its effectiveness in a pilot randomized controlled trial with recent victims. Participants will provide real-time feedback on their alcohol use and emotional state during the treatment period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective interventions that significantly reduce symptoms of AUD and PTSD in recent sexual assault survivors.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research in the area of AUD and PTSD, this specific integrated approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hahn, Christine Kathryn — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Hahn, Christine Kathryn
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.