Using written therapy to help veterans with PTSD and substance use disorders
Written Exposure Therapy (WET) as a brief trauma treatment for Veterans with Co-occurring Substance Use Disorders and PTSD
This study is looking at how well a quick writing therapy can help veterans who are dealing with both PTSD and substance use issues, making it easier for them to get the support they need in just five sessions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Connecticut Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10919767 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of Written Exposure Therapy (WET) as a brief treatment for veterans suffering from both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUD). The approach involves delivering WET in just five sessions, making it a time-efficient option for busy outpatient clinics. The therapy focuses on addressing trauma, which is often overlooked in traditional addiction treatment programs, potentially improving both PTSD symptoms and substance use outcomes. By training clinic staff to implement this therapy, the research aims to enhance treatment retention and overall health for veterans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who are seeking treatment for co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have PTSD or substance use disorders may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide veterans with a more effective treatment option for managing PTSD and substance use disorders, leading to better health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that written exposure therapy is feasible and effective in reducing PTSD symptoms among individuals in substance use treatment, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
West Haven, United States
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System — West Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meshberg-Cohen, Sarah — VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Meshberg-Cohen, Sarah
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.