Online training for clinicians to deliver COPE, a combined PTSD and substance-use therapy
Official title: Web-Based Provider Training for Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure (COPEWeb)
Funded at Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center · NIH-11222678 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project offers web training to teach VA clinicians how to deliver COPE, a combined Prolonged Exposure therapy for Veterans with PTSD and substance use problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003483-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11222678 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans receiving care in the VA who have both PTSD and a co-occurring substance use disorder and who want integrated trauma-focused treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not receive care within the VA system, those without both PTSD and SUD, or those whose providers do not complete the web training may not experience benefit from this project.
What this research studies
If you are a Veteran with PTSD and a substance use disorder, this project builds a web-based program to train VA clinicians to deliver COPE, an integrated trauma-focused therapy. The team will create standardized online modules, demonstrations, and supporting materials so clinicians can learn at their own pace. They will work closely with VA partners to make the training practical for real clinics and track clinician uptake and skill. The aim is to expand access to an evidence-based combined treatment without relying on costly in-person workshops.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more VA clinicians will be able to provide COPE, increasing Veterans' access to integrated PTSD and substance-use care.
How similar studies have gone: COPE has shown effectiveness in randomized trials for Veterans in reducing PTSD and substance use, while web-based provider training is a newer method for spreading that therapy.
Where this research is happening
-
Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Back, Sudie E. — Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Back, Sudie E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Written Exposure Therapy for Veterans with PTSD and Substance Use Disorder (brief trauma treatment)
A brief trauma-focused therapy called Written Exposure Therapy is being studied to help veterans who have both PTSD and substance use disorders.
-
Web-based training to treat PTSD and substance use together in Veterans
A web-based training resource helps VA clinicians learn how to provide integrated treatment for Veterans with both PTSD and substance use disorders.
-
Genetics of PTSD and Substance Use in Diverse Populations
This grant investigates how genes influence PTSD and substance use disorders in diverse groups to improve prevention and treatment.
-
Using Written Exposure Therapy to help Veterans with PTSD and Substance Use Disorders
This study is looking at how helpful Written Exposure Therapy can be for Veterans dealing with both PTSD and substance use issues, especially for those in rural areas who might not have easy access to care, to see if it can make their treatment better and improve their quality of life.
-
Five-session written therapy for veterans with PTSD and substance use problems
This project uses a five-session written exposure therapy to help veterans with PTSD and substance use disorders reduce trauma symptoms and stay engaged in addiction care.
-
Genes linking PTSD and substance use problems in diverse communities
Researchers are looking at how genetic factors connect PTSD with alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioid problems in people from diverse ancestry groups.
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.