Does Trauma-focused Exposure Therapy Exacerbate Symptoms Among Patients With Comorbid PTSD and Substance Use Disorders?

Course overview

This study compared the exacerbation of psychological symptoms among participants with comorbid PTSD and SUD who received either SUD treatment alone or SUD treatment integrated with exposure therapy for PTSD. The results showed that symptom exacerbation was minimal and generally equally likely in either treatment group. These results support existing research that trauma-focused, exposure-based therapy does not increase the risk of symptom exacerbation.