Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitor Treatment of Dual Diagnosis Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Problems (DDx)
PTSD, Alcohol Use Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for PTSD focused on measuring PTSD, Alcohol, Dual Diagnosis, Sertraline, SSRI
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 21-65 year old Veterans with PTSD who regularly drink more than 5 standard drinks of alcohol in a day
- who experienced a trauma during deployment and
- who regularly drink more than 5 standard drinks alcohol and
- are interested in coming in once per week for 12 weeks of dual diagnosis individual therapy and
- are willing to participate in a placebo-controlled trial which could include receipt of sertraline (Zoloft).
Exclusion Criteria:
- if their PTSD Symptoms are adequately controlled by other medication regimens;
- they require inpatient alcohol detoxification; or currently receive naltrexone, disulfiram, acamprosate, or ondansetron treatment for alcohol dependence; or
- currently have an unstable medical illness; or
- have a bipolar or psychotic disorder; or
- currently are taking and are unwilling to discontinue taking any SSRI, SNRI, MAO inhibitor, tricyclic antidepressant, or anticonvulsant.
Sites / Locations
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Sertraline
Placebo
Subjects will receive a fixed dose of 150 mg sertraline per day. Sertraline dose will be gradually increased by giving sertraline subjects capsules filled with 50 mg for the first three days and then capsules filled with 100 mg for 4 days before beginning the 150 mg per day in the second week. After completing the study Visit 12, subjects will be given an additional two week supply of medicine to gradually taper down so as to minimize any withdrawal discomfort. Subjects in the Sertraline arm also will receive COPE therapy (Concurrent Treatment with Prolonged Exposure)which involves 12 sessions of manualized cognitive and behavioral therapy including exposure therapy for PTSD.
Matching placebo capsules will be filled with corn starch only on the same schedule as the Sertraline. Subjects in the Placebo arm also will receive COPE therapy (Concurrent Treatment with Prolonged Exposure)which involves 12 sessions of manualized cognitive and behavioral therapy including exposure therapy for PTSD.