Randomized trial compares psychological outcomes in veterans with PTSD alone versus PTSD with substance use disorders, suggesting intervention improvements are needed.
Objective: U.S. veterans experience comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders (PTSD-SUD) at high rates, resulting in poorer psychosocial outcomes when compared to the effects of either condition alone. However, it is unclear how veterans with PTSD and a current or remitted SUD compare to those with PTSD alone. Methods: This study compared post-9/11 era veterans with PTSD only, PTSD + current SUD, and PTSD + remitted SUD on psychological outcomes and treatment history. Results: Veterans with PTSD + current SUD reported greater suicidality, PTSD symptom severity, and psychiatric distress, compared to those with PTSD only and PTSD + remitted SUD. Veterans with PTSD only and PTSD + remitted SUD reported comparable symptom levels. Conclusions: Findings highlight that the combination of PTSD and a current SUD is a potential risk factor for suicidality. Enhancing the effectiveness of and access to PTSD-SUD interventions may be an important pathway to suicide risk reduction.
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Meckes et al. (2026) studied this question.
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