New Beginnings Following Trauma
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Opioid Use Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic focused on measuring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Written Exposure Therapy, Harm Reduction, Integrated Treatment
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: History of trauma meeting past-month diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; meeting diagnostic status on the DIAMOND PTSD Module and score greater than or equal to 36 on the PCL-5) and current or past diagnostic criteria for opioid use disorder (OUD). Enrolled in a methadone or buprenorphine treatment program in the state of Kentucky. 18 years of age or older and fluent in English (including being able to read and write in English). Participants on psychotropic medications and medications for opioid use disorder (methadone or buprenorphine) will be included if they have been maintained on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to beginning the study and are willing to maintain a stable dosage throughout the study period; this procedure allows for a broader range of participants and avoids having outcomes assessment confounded by the initiation of medication during treatment. Participants in this study will also be required to sign a release of medical information for their methadone or buprenorphine clinic so that study staff can coordinate care with their methadone or buprenorphine provider. Willing to refrain from additional trauma-focused psychological treatment for the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: Individuals diagnosed with psychological conditions that may be better addressed by alternative treatments. These conditions may include any history of psychotic disorders or dissociative identity disorder, manic episodes endorsed in the past year, current anorexia nervosa, and high risk of suicide. Individuals who endorse factors for which the treatment being studied (WET-I) may be contraindicated. These factors may include having no or limited memory of the trauma that would prevent the individual from engaging in written exposures.
Sites / Locations
- University of Kentucky Clinic for Emotional Health (CEH)Recruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Experimental
3-Week Baseline
5-Week Baseline
Participants in this arm are randomized to a 3-week baseline period with repeated weekly assessment after the initial intake. Following the 3-week baseline, participants receive 5 weekly sessions of Written Exposure Therapy - Integrated (WET-I) followed by a 4-week follow-up phase with repeated weekly assessments.
Participants in this arm are randomized to a 5-week baseline period with repeated weekly assessment after the initial intake. Following the 5-week baseline, participants receive 5 weekly sessions of Written Exposure Therapy - Integrated (WET-I) followed by a 4-week follow-up phase with repeated weekly assessments.