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Chronic combat-related PTSD and concurrent substance abuse: Implications for treatment of this frequent “dual diagnosis”

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Journal of Traumatic Stress

Abstract

Vietnam combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who had requested treatment through a special VA-sponsored PTSD treatment program were evaluated using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). Based on the DIS, 91.12% of the sample had a lifetime diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence and this was, by far, the most frequent co-diagnosis in the sample. The most common reason for patients not completing the treatment program was for use of illegal substances or alcohol while in the program, even though they were aware that to do so meant that they would be either discharged or transferred to another unit. The percentage of other co-diagnoses, and an estimate of currentness for all Axis I diagnoses were also presented on the sample of 102 patients. It was determined that for this population, the symptoms of substance abuse were chronic and were inextricably intertwined with PTSD symptoms and with the initial stressor (combat). Treatment process implications were discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. VA Medical Center and Medical College of Georgia, August, 30910, Georgia

    Patrick A. Boudewyns & J. William Albrecht

  2. Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

    M. Gail Woods

Authors
  1. Patrick A. Boudewyns
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  2. M. Gail Woods
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  3. Lee Hyer
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  4. J. William Albrecht
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Boudewyns, P.A., Woods, M.G., Hyer, L. et al. Chronic combat-related PTSD and concurrent substance abuse: Implications for treatment of this frequent “dual diagnosis”. J Trauma Stress 4, 549–560 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00974589

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00974589

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