Studies that compare other outcomes related to treatment retention and symptom improvement, such as sleep, mood symptoms, somatic medical conditions, and safety profiles (including violence and suicidality), would also be helpful. The literature currently lacks studies that examine the association between premorbid functioning and the ability to engage in manual-guided, evidence-supported therapies. Also needed is examination of how adding PTSD-focused treatment to AUD treatment will be feasible in terms of treatment costs, training requirements, and staff workload. Studies examining outcomes of integrated treatments among people with comorbid AUD and PTSD, when compared with people who have PTSD and substance use disorder involving multiple substances, is necessary to identify and target specific alcohol-related treatment needs. Finally, given the heterogeneous nature of AUD120 and the complex etiology, course, and treatment of both AUD and PTSD, studies that examine commonalities underlying effective behavioral treatments are essential. To begin, two systematic reviews discuss the current state of behavioral (Simpson et al., 2017) and pharmacological (Petrakis & Simpson, 2017) treatments for comorbid AUD/PTSD.
Daily associations between PTSD, drinking, and self-appraised alcohol-related problems
As much as 70 percent of the U.S. population has experienced at least one trauma, such as a traffic accident, assault, or an incident of physical or sexual abuse. Many people are able to cope with their traumatic experiences and do not suffer from prolonged consequences. For about 8 percent of the population, however, the consequences of experiencing trauma do not abate and may indeed get worse with time (Breslau et al. 1991; Kessler et al. 1995). The degree to which a person or animal can control a traumatic event is an important factor in understanding the impact of the event (Seligman 1975). In fact, an event can have very different effects depending on the victim’s ability to cope with the event.
Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military and Veteran Populations: Initial Assessment
Between six and eight of every ten (or 60% to 80% of) Vietnam Veterans seeking PTSD treatment have alcohol use problems. Binge drinking is when a person drinks a lot of alcohol (4-5 drinks) in a short period of time (1-2 hours). Veterans over the age of 65 with PTSD are at higher risk for a suicide attempt if they also have drinking problems or depression.
Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder in an urban population of young adults
Drinking often can contribute to PTSD symptoms and increase irritability, depression, and feeling off guard. Some drink to deal with insomnia that results from anxiety, anticipating nightmares, and circular thinking. Drinking actually impairs the quality of your sleep, however, setting up a destructive cycle.
What’s sleep got to do with it? Longitudinal associations between insomnia, PTSD, and alcohol use among U.S. Veterans
In the next section, two studies focus on the prevalence and correlates of AUD and PTSD in racial and ethnic minority communities. Werner and colleagues (2016) report on the increased rates of trauma exposure and PTSD among African American (AA) women as compared to European American (EA) women, and examine differences in the relationship between PTSD and AUD among AA and EA women. This study extends prior work by examining the unique contributions of specific types of trauma and PTSD on alcohol involvement in AA and EA women, and identifying racial/ethnic disparities in the prevalence and timing of first alcohol use, AUD symptoms and AUD diagnostic progression.
What is Alcohol Use Disorder?
More recently, Sartor et al. (2010) found that the genetic factors that contribute to trauma exposure and PTSD account for approximately 30% of the genetic variance in alcohol-use disorders among a sample of female twins. Additional research examining the underlying genetic contributions of these two disorders is needed. Nevertheless, the extent to which there are differences between men and women in the genetic overlap between PTSD and alcohol-use ptsd blackouts disorders could in part explain results obtained in the current study. Similarly, additional research is needed to examine the extent to which gender-related differences might relate to hormonal factors differing between men and women. In one survey of adolescents receiving treatment for substance use, more than 70% had a history of trauma exposure.
- One possible explanation for this finding is that self-medication operates differently between consumption, consequences, and drinking behavior.
- After viewing the videotape the hot stimulus was less painful (i.e., the trauma reminder produced analgesia).
- Subjects as a group decreased their drinking significantly over time, but there were no significant group differences.
- Military and veteran populations have a critical need for interventions that aim to reduce the burden of co-occurring PTSD and AUD.
- This is a critical review of the literature to date on pharmacotherapy treatments of AUD and PTSD.
The National Center for PTSD reports that 60 to 80 percent of Vietnam veterans seeking care for PTSD also show problem drinking behaviors. Veterans are also more likely to engage in binge drinking, consuming a large quantity of alcohol over a short period. If you or a loved one has developed PTSD after a traumatic event and also struggles with alcohol abuse, we’ve compiled some information about the relationship between PTSD and alcohol. We’ve also included some helpful information on how to get help for PTSD and alcohol abuse. Likewise, a history of mental health conditions – from PTSD to ADHD to a depressive disorder – increases the risk of AUD developing.3 So, while PTSD doesn’t necessarily cause alcoholism, it’s easy to see why the two conditions often present together. The grouping of symptoms that follow experience with uncontrollable trauma is called “ learned helplessness effects” (Seligman 1975).
Data Analytic Strategy
In one such study, researchers presented either a personalized trauma cue or a neutral imagery cue to individuals with comorbid PTSD and alcohol dependence (as measured by DSM-IV criteria). Findings indicated that those exposed to trauma-related imagery cues reported higher alcohol craving than the neutrally cued group (Coffey et al., 2002). This, along with other experimental studies (for review, see Snelleman et al., 2014), provide empirical support for the relevance of self-medication by demonstrating how trauma reminders lead to increased alcohol craving, which heightens the probability of drinking. In adults, the rates for co-morbid PTSD and substance use disorders are two to three times higher for females than males, with 30 to 57 percent of all female substance abusers meeting the criteria for PTSD (Najavits et al. 1997).
Indeed, we know of no research that has tested primary prevention efforts targeting PTSD, AUD, or the comorbid conditions in any population. To our knowledge, no study has examined strategies that aim to prevent the development of comorbid PTSD and AUD in military and veteran populations. However, some research has examined the prevention of PTSD or AUD separately in this population, which could inform the prevention of comorbid PTSD and AUD.