---
title: "Psych News Alert: Integrating Treatment for PTSD and Substance Dependence Brings Positive Outcomes"
description: Integrating treatments for comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance dependence resulted in reduced PTSD symptom severity ...
image: https://alert.psychnews.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Substance_929556-Jun-24-2025-10-38-39-6310-PM.jpg
---

 8/15/12 12:00 AM

# Integrating Treatment for PTSD and Substance Dependence Brings Positive Outcomes

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Integrating treatments for comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance dependence resulted in reduced PTSD symptom severity than did substance dependence treatment alone, according to Australian researchers.  They randomized 103 patients to receive either prolonged exposure therapy, a proven treatment for PTSD, plus usual treatment for substance dependence or usual treatment alone, wrote Katherine Mills, Ph.D., of the University of New South Wales and colleagues in the August 15 *Journal of the American Medical Association*.

After nine months of treatment (covering 13 90-minute sessions), symptom severity was lowered in both groups. " However, the treatment group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in PTSD symptom severity,” wrote the authors. There was no significant difference in severity of substance dependence or changes in substance use, depression, or anxiety. “The complex trauma, substance use, and psychiatric presentations commonly found among individuals with PTSD and substance dependence should not be a deterrent to providing trauma-focused treatment,” the researchers pointed out.

To read more about treatment of patients with comorbid PTSD and substance use, see *Psychiatric News* [here](http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsarticle.aspx?articleid=1130403) and the *American Journal of Psychiatry* [here](http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=1209438).

(Image: Donna Cuic/Shutterstock.com)

[psychiatry](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/psychiatry), [PTSD](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/ptsd), [substance abuse treatment](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/substance-abuse-treatment), [randomized controlled trial](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/randomized-controlled-trial)

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[PTSD](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/ptsd), [geriatric psychiatry](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/geriatric-psychiatry), [elderly](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/elderly)

## [PTSD in Elderly Tied to Several Stressful Events](https://alert.psychnews.org/2012/05/ptsd-in-elderly-tied-to-several.html)

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[PTSD](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/ptsd), [JAMA Psychiatry](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/jama-psychiatry), [child abuse](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/child-abuse), [sexual abuse](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/sexual-abuse), [cognitive processing therapy](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/cognitive-processing-therapy)

## [Developmentally Adapted Cognitive Processing Therapy Effective for Youth With Abuse-Related PTSD](https://alert.psychnews.org/2019/04/developmentally-adapted-cognitive.html)

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[substance use](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/substance-use), [PTSD](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/ptsd), [AUD](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/aud), [alcohol use disorder](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/alcohol-use-disorder), [cognitive-behavioral therapy](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/cognitive-behavioral-therapy), [trauma](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/trauma), [JAMA Psychiatry](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/jama-psychiatry), [prolonged exposure](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/prolonged-exposure), [Department of Veterans Affairs](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/department-of-veterans-affairs), [post-traumatic stress disorder](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/post-traumatic-stress-disorder), [coping skills](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/coping-skills)

## [Exposure Therapy for PTSD Benefits Patients With Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder, Study Shows](https://alert.psychnews.org/2019/04/exposure-therapy-for-ptsd-benefits.html)

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People with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) can...

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