@article{ref1,
title="Examining pretreatment differences between veterans in residential versus outpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder and comorbid combat-related PTSD",
journal="Journal of dual diagnosis",
year="2016",
author="Haller, Moira and Colvonen, Peter J. and Davis, Brittany C. and Trim, Ryan S. and Bogner, Rebecca and Sevcik, John and Norman, Sonya B.",
volume="12",
number="3-4",
pages="282-289",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Veterans with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have access to various residential and outpatient treatment programs through the VA Healthcare System. There is a need to better understand the characteristics and needs of veterans who engage in residential versus outpatient treatment in order to help inform veteran care and decisions about treatment services. <br><br>METHODS: The present study examined whether veterans diagnosed with both AUD and combat-related PTSD who were enrolled in residential (N = 103) or outpatient treatment programs (N = 76) differed on pre-treatment psychiatric symptoms, substance use and associated problems/behaviors, or demographics. Veterans completed self-report measures (which referenced symptoms in the past 30 days or 2 weeks) within the first week of PTSD/AUD treatment. <br><br>RESULTS: Veterans in residential treatment had slightly worse PTSD symptoms compared to outpatient veterans; the groups reported similar levels of depression symptoms. Residential veterans had higher frequency of drug use, were more confident in their ability to be abstinent, attended more self-help meetings, spent more time around risky people or places, were more satisfied with their progress toward recovery goals, were more bothered by arguments with family/friends, and spent fewer days at work or school compared to outpatient veterans; the groups did not differ on drinking (frequency of use, binge drinking) or cravings. With respect to demographics, residential veterans were more likely to be married and non-Hispanic Caucasian (rather than minority races/ethnicities) compared to outpatient veterans. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The finding that PTSD symptoms were more severe among veterans in residential substance use treatment highlights the importance of taking advantage of this crucial opportunity to engage veterans in evidence-based PTSD treatment. Consistent with other research, findings also indicated that individuals entering residential care have a higher level of impairment than those beginning outpatient care.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1550-4263",
doi="10.1080/15504263.2016.1256516",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2016.1256516"
}