By the Numbers: 7 February 2022

By the Numbers: 7 February 2022

20-30%

The percentage of veterans with PTSD who have a comorbid substance use disorder (SUD), according to a recent article in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports -- Rates and predictors of psychotherapy receipt among U.S. veterans with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders. The article indicates that "up to 75% of veterans with a SUD also have PTSD".

A total of 13,824 (42.17%) Veterans in this sample received any PTSD- or SUD-related therapy in the year following diagnosis. Low rates of veterans received an adequate dose of PTSD-related psychotherapy (6.58%), SUD-related psychotherapy (7.72%), or both PTSD and SUD-related psychotherapy (<1%) In adjusted models, older age, service-connected disability, and psychiatric comorbidities were associated with decreased odds of treatment. Specific types of SUDs, including alcohol, cocaine, and opioid use disorders, along with receipt of diagnosis in a PTSD or SUD clinic, were associated with increased odds of treatment.