Exposure Study

This NIDA funded clinical trial uses a randomized, controlled, repeated measures design to assess the relative efficacy of two active treatments (Concurrent Treatment with Prolonged Exposure (COPE) and Relapse Prevention Therapy (RPT)) in treating individuals with substance dependence and PTSD. . COPE is a manualized 12-week intervention, which applies cognitive-behavioral strategies and prolonged exposure (PE) techniques. Relapse Prevention Therapy is a widely used cognitive-behavioral skills training approach to initiating and maintaining abstinence from various types of substance abuse. Participants are men and women. This study aims to: evaluate the efficacy of the interventions in reducing substance use, PTSD symptoms, and global psychiatric symptoms and assess any differences in retention across treatment groups