Changes in posttraumatic stress disorders symptoms during and after therapeutic community drug and alcohol treatment

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities,Volume 37, Issue 4, December 2016. Purpose This research investigated the changes in PTSD symptomatology during treatment in a drug and alcohol therapeutic community. Design/methodology/approach A repeated measures design was employed that looked at PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress at a pre and post timepoint. A second sample was then evaluated at time of program completion to seven months post treatment. Findings PTSD symptomatology significantly decreased in individuals who had undertaken treatment, and continued to decline post treatment. This finding was irrespective of any PTSD specific treatment. Research limitations/implications PTSD specific is not necessary to lower the symptomatology. Furthermore, this provides further evidence that PTSD and SUD are so highly entertwined that the comorbidity can almost be considered a new, single, diagnosis. Originality/value This is a partial replication of previous research which had not previously been replicated. This research also adds to the limited research which looks at PTSD from the perspective of drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Source: Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research