Combining treatments for opioid addiction and PTSD

Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Opioid Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

NIH-funded research Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11179556

This study is working on a new therapy to help people who are dealing with both opioid addiction and PTSD, making it more effective by getting input from patients and doctors before testing it out to see if it works better than regular medication.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMedical University of South Carolina NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charleston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11179556 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop and test a new treatment approach for individuals struggling with both opioid use disorder (OUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The project will modify an existing behavioral therapy called COPE to better suit the needs of patients with these co-occurring conditions. It will involve gathering feedback from both patients and healthcare providers to refine the treatment, followed by a small trial to assess its effectiveness compared to standard medication treatments for OUD. Ultimately, the goal is to improve recovery outcomes for patients facing these dual challenges.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with both opioid use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or PTSD may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients dealing with both opioid addiction and PTSD.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically combining treatments for OUD and PTSD, the approach of integrating behavioral therapies with medication has shown promise in other contexts.

Where this research is happening

Charleston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.