The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Massed Prolonged Exposure Therapy (M-PE) can improve PTSD symptoms and reduce substance use in adults receiving intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does M-PE reduce PTSD symptoms more effectively than trauma treatment as usual (TAU)? * Does M-PE reduce the number of days participants use substances? * How do patient-centered outcomes (such as depression, suicidal thoughts, and quality of life) differ between M-PE and trauma TAU? * Researchers will compare M-PE to treatment as usual to see if M-PE leads to better mental health and substance use outcomes and lower dropout rates.
Participants will:
* Attend multiple therapy sessions per week (M-PE) or receive usual care * Complete assessments at baseline, during treatment, end-of-treatment, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up * Share feedback through surveys and interviews about their experience in the program
Age 18+
Enrolled in SUD treatment at Gateway Community Services
Meet DSM-5 criteria for a SUD (Tobacco Use Disorder alone not sufficient for inclusion)
Meet DSM-5 criteria for PTSD
severe cognitive impairment
current suicidal or homicidal intent requiring immediate treatment
current unstable psychotic or manic symptoms not attributable to SUD
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Lead sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator
University of California, San Diego
Collaborator
University of Minnesota
Collaborator