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Citation
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Haller M, Colvonen PJ, Davis BC, Trim RS, Bogner R, Sevcik J, Norman SB. J. Dual Diagn. 2016; 12(3-4): 282-289. |
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Affiliation
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VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health , 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, MC 116A, San Diego , CA 92161 , United States. |
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Abstract
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OBJECTIVE: Veterans with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have access to various residential and outpatient treatment programs through the VA Healthcare System. There is a need to better understand the characteristics and needs of veterans who engage in residential versus outpatient treatment in order to help inform veteran care and decisions about treatment services.
METHODS: The present study examined whether veterans diagnosed with both AUD and combat-related PTSD who were enrolled in residential (N = 103) or outpatient treatment programs (N = 76) differed on pre-treatment psychiatric symptoms, substance use and associated problems/behaviors, or demographics. Veterans completed self-report measures (which referenced symptoms in the past 30 days or 2 weeks) within the first week of PTSD/AUD treatment.
RESULTS: Veterans in residential treatment had slightly worse PTSD symptoms compared to outpatient veterans; the groups reported similar levels of depression symptoms. Residential veterans had higher frequency of drug use, were more confident in their ability to be abstinent, attended more self-help meetings, spent more time around risky people or places, were more satisfied with their progress toward recovery goals, were more bothered by arguments with family/friends, and spent fewer days at work or school compared to outpatient veterans; the groups did not differ on drinking (frequency of use, binge drinking) or cravings. With respect to demographics, residential veterans were more likely to be married and non-Hispanic Caucasian (rather than minority races/ethnicities) compared to outpatient veterans.
CONCLUSIONS: The finding that PTSD symptoms were more severe among veterans in residential substance use treatment highlights the importance of taking advantage of this crucial opportunity to engage veterans in evidence-based PTSD treatment. Consistent with other research, findings also indicated that individuals entering residential care have a higher level of impairment than those beginning outpatient care.
Language: en |