Couple-Based Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Condition: Alcohol-related Disorders; Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
MeSH terms: Alcoholism; Alcohol-Related Disorders; Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Intervention: Couple-Based Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders and PTSD
Intervention description: This intervention includes cognitive-behavioral strategies for helping couples to reduce alcohol use and PTSD, while improving relationship functioning.
Phase: Phase 1
Study type: Interventional
Primary purpose: Treatment
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Enrollment: 13.0
Sex: All
Minimum age: 18 Years
Healthy volunteers: No
Keywords: post-traumatic stress disorder; alcohol-related disorders; substance use disorders; couple therapy

Summary:

      The purpose of this study is to develop and test a couple-based treatment for Veterans with
      an alcohol use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
    

Eligibility criteria:

        Inclusion Criteria:

          -  Veteran must meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV;
             American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria for current (past 12 months) alcohol
             abuse or dependence and alcohol must be the Veteran's primary substance of abuse as
             determined by a clinical algorithm (Fals-Stewart, Stappenbeck et al, 2004);

          -  Veteran must meet DSM-IV criteria for current (past month) PTSD;

          -  Veteran consumed alcohol in the past 90 days;

          -  couple must be married to or living with their current partner for at least 1 year;

          -  Veteran agrees to a goal of abstinence from drugs at least for the duration of the
             15-week study-based treatment;

          -  Veteran agrees to the goal of abstaining from alcohol or consuming alcohol within low
             risk drinking guidelines during the duration of the 15-week study-based counseling;

          -  Veteran agrees to forego other treatment for alcohol-related disorders except for self
             help meetings (e.g., AA) or treatment required for a clinical emergency or clinical
             deterioration for the duration of the 15-week study based treatment;

          -  Veteran agrees to forgo other PTSD treatment except for treatment required for a
             clinical emergency or clinical deterioration for the duration of the 15-week study
             based treatment;

          -  couple agrees to forgo other couple-based counseling for the duration of the 15-week
             study based treatment except for treatment required for a clinical emergency or
             clinical deterioration;

          -  partner does not meet DSM-IV criteria for current (past 12 month) substance use
             disorder (other than nicotine)

          -  partner does not meet DSM-IV criteria for current (past month) PTSD.

        Exclusion Criteria:

          -  Veteran has dependence on alcohol or other drugs that requires inpatient treatment or
             medical detoxification (as indicated by daily heavy use or use to prevent or deal with
             withdrawal symptoms) - after completing detoxification, Veteran may be eligible for
             the study;

          -  Veteran or partner are at immediate risk for suicide or homicide (current plan or
             intent);

          -  Veteran or partner exhibit a history of suicide or homicide attempt in the past year;

          -  Veteran is participating in a methadone maintenance or suboxone maintenance program
             and is seeking treatment for adjunctive outpatient services;

          -  Veteran or partner meets DSM-IV criteria for a current organic mental disorder,
             schizophrenia, delusional (paranoid) disorder, or any of the other psychotic
             disorders.