Improving Outcomes for Veterans with Substance Use and PTSD by Treating Sleep Apnea
Examining Early Intervention Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment on Long-Term Outcomes in Veterans with SUD/PTSD in a Residential Treatment Program
This work looks at how treating sleep apnea early might help Veterans who are in residential programs for substance use disorder and PTSD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA San Diego Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11191384 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many Veterans dealing with both substance use disorder (SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Untreated OSA can make SUD and PTSD symptoms worse, affecting overall well-being and increasing the risk of relapse or suicidal thoughts. While positive airway pressure (PAP) is a proven treatment for OSA, it's not usually part of SUD or PTSD care. This research aims to understand if providing early OSA treatment can lead to better long-term recovery for these Veterans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be Veterans in residential treatment programs who have both substance use disorder and PTSD, and also suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have co-occurring substance use disorder, PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea, or who are not in a residential treatment setting, may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better treatment strategies for Veterans with co-occurring SUD and PTSD, improving their recovery and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: While positive airway pressure (PAP) is a well-established and effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, its integration and impact on co-occurring substance use disorder and PTSD in Veterans is a less explored area.
Where this research is happening
San Diego, United States
- VA San Diego Healthcare System — San Diego, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Colvonen, Peter — VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Colvonen, Peter
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 below.