Schumm, J. A., Monson, C. M., O'Farrell, T. J., Gustin, N. G., & Chard, K. M. (2015). Couple treatment for alcohol use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder: Pilot results from U.S. military veterans and their partners. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28(3), 247-252. doi:10.1002/jts.22007

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and heavy alcohol use can be common among military Veterans. As a first partner-involved treatment, this pilot study assessed pre- and post-scores of Veterans and their partners on measures related to alcohol use, PTSD, depression, and relationship satisfaction. Findings revealed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, depression, and amount of alcohol consumption each day.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jts.22007

Couples
Mental health
Substance use
Veterans

Multiple branches

Veteran
Spouse of service member or veteran

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)

Empirical Study
Interview
Quantitative Study

Schumm, Jeremiah A., Monson, Candice M., O'Farrell, Timothy J., Gustin, Nancy G., Chard, Kathleen M.

We studied 13 U.S. male military veterans and their female partners who consented to participate in an uncontrolled trial of couple treatment for alcohol use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (CTAP). CTAP is a 15-session, manualized therapy, integrating behavioral couples therapy for alcohol use disorder (AUD) with cognitive–behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Due to ineligibility (n = 1) and attrition (n = 3), 9 couples completed the study, and 7 completed 12 or more sessions. There were 8 veterans who showed clinically reliable pre- to posttreatment reduction of PTSD outcomes. There were also significant group-level reductions in clinician-, veteran-, and partner-rated PTSD symptoms (d = 0.94 to 1.71). Most veterans showed clinically reliable reductions in percentage days of heavy drinking. Group-level reduction in veterans’ percentage days of heavy drinking was significant (d = 1.01). There were 4 veterans and 3 partners with clinically reliable reductions in depression, and group-level change was significant for veterans (d = 0.93) and partners (d = 1.06). On relationship satisfaction, 3 veterans and 4 partners had reliable improvements, and 2 veterans and 1 partner had reliable deterioration. Group-level findings were nonsignificant for veteran relationship satisfaction (d = 0.26) and for partners (d = 0.52). These findings indicate that CTAP may be a promising intervention for individuals with comorbid PTSD and AUD who have relationship partners.

John Wiley & Sons

Article
REACH Publication

Trauma Recovery Center, Cincinnati VA Medical Center, JAS
Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, CMM
Families and Addictions Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, TJO
Trauma Recovery Center, Cincinnati VA Medical Center, NGG
Trauma Recovery Center, Cincinnati VA Medical Center, KMC