Helping people with opioid use disorder and PTSD through written therapy.

Treating OUD/PTSD in Residential Care: Written Exposure in Substance Treatment (WEST).

NIH-funded research University of Maryland Baltimore County · NIH-11056226

This study is looking to make a therapy called Written Exposure Therapy better for people who are dealing with both opioid use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, by getting input from patients and treatment providers in residential treatment settings.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11056226 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving treatment for individuals who have both opioid use disorder (OUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It aims to adapt a therapy called Written Exposure Therapy (WET) specifically for use in residential treatment settings for substance use disorders. The study will gather feedback from patients and treatment providers to refine this therapy, ensuring it meets the unique needs of those struggling with both conditions. By testing this adapted therapy, the research seeks to enhance the effectiveness of PTSD treatment in residential care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals receiving residential treatment for opioid use disorder who also have a diagnosis of post-traumatic 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 provide a more effective treatment option for patients dealing with both opioid use disorder and PTSD, potentially reducing their symptoms and improving their overall recovery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD in substance use treatment, indicating that this adapted approach may also be effective.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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.