Improving PTSD Treatment for People in Substance Use Care

Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of Massed PTSD Treatment in a Community Substance Use Program

NIH-funded research Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11181643

This research aims to make a proven PTSD treatment more accessible and effective for individuals also receiving care for substance use.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Piscataway, United States)
Project IDNIH-11181643 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many people experience both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD), and treating both at the same time is very important. While a treatment called Prolonged Exposure (PE) is known to help with PTSD, it's often hard for people with SUD to access or complete it. This project will explore offering PE in a 'massed' format, meaning multiple sessions per week, within intensive outpatient substance use programs. The goal is to see if this approach can help more people attend and benefit from PTSD treatment, leading to better overall recovery.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be individuals experiencing both PTSD and substance use disorder who are currently participating in or seeking intensive outpatient substance use treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder, or who are not interested in a massed treatment format, may not find this particular approach beneficial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve how PTSD is treated for individuals also managing substance use, potentially leading to better mental health and recovery outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a well-established and effective treatment for PTSD, and massed PE has shown promise in improving attendance and outcomes compared to weekly sessions.

Where this research is happening

Piscataway, 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.
Conditions Disease
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.