Cited by 93Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchMindfulness and Compassion InterventionsSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Acceptance and commitment therapy for co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorders in veterans: pilot treatment outcomes

Meyer, Eric C., Walser, Robyn, Hermann, Barbara, La Bash, Heidi, DeBeer, Bryann B., Morissette, Sandra B., Kimbrel, Nathan A., Kwok, Oi‐Man +2 more·2018·Journal of Traumatic Stress

Abstract

Abstract Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) frequently co‐occur and are associated with worse outcomes together than either disorder alone. A lack of consensus regarding recommendations for treating PTSD–AUD exists, and treatment dropout is a persistent problem. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a transdiagnostic, mindfulness‐ and acceptance‐based form of behavior therapy, has potential as a treatment option for PTSD–AUD. In this uncontrolled pilot study, we examined ACT for PTSD–AUD in 43 veterans; 29 (67%) completed the outpatient individual therapy protocol (i.e., ≥ 10 of 12 sessions). Clinician‐assessed and self‐reported PTSD symptoms were reduced at posttreatment, ds = 0.79 and 0.96, respectively. Self‐reported symptoms of PTSD remained lower at 3‐month follow‐up, d = 0.88. There were reductions on all alcohol‐related outcomes (clinician‐assessed and self‐reported symptoms, total drinks, and heavy drinking days) at posttreatment and 3‐month follow‐up, dmean = 0.91 (d range: 0.65–1.30). Quality of life increased at posttreatment and follow‐up, ds = 0.55–0.56. Functional disability improved marginally at posttreatment, d = 0.35; this effect became significant by follow‐up, d = 0.52. Fewer depressive symptoms were reported at posttreatment, d = 0.50, and follow‐up, d = 0.44. Individuals experiencing suicidal ideation reported significant reductions by follow‐up. Consistent with the ACT theoretical model, these improvements were associated with more between‐session mindfulness practice and reductions in experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility. Recommendations for adapting ACT to address PTSD–AUD include assigning frequent between‐session mindfulness practice and initiating values clarification work and values‐based behavior assignments early in treatment.

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Crossref · 10.1002/jts.22322

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  • These findings corroborate the results of veteran studies implementing ACT as a treatment for PTSD and co-occurring conditions and expand the research base in civilian outpatient populations.

    “These findings corroborate the results of veteran studies implementing ACT as a treatment for PTSD and co-occurring conditions (Lang et al., 2017; Meyer et al., 2018b), and expand the research base in civilian outpatient populations.”
  • In an uncontrolled pilot study of 43 US veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use, 12 sessions of ACT compared with treatment-as-usual reduced the number of drinks and heavy drinking days at the end of the ACT intervention, but the study was limited by small sample size, lack of a control group, and 33% attrition.

    “In an uncontrolled pilot study of 43 US veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use, 12 sessions of ACT as compared to treatment-as-usual showed reduction in the number of drinks and heavy drinking days at the end of the ACT intervention.”
  • The efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy has been confirmed in studies on substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and comorbid psychiatric disorders.

    “The efficacy of ACT has also been confirmed in studies on substance use disorder [23], post-traumatic stress disorder [24], and comorbid psychiatric disorders that are considered significant challenges for clinicians and practitioners [25].”
  • ACT has shown preliminary evidence in improving PTSD symptoms.

    “ACT has also shown preliminary evidence in improving interpersonal difficulties [34,35,36] and PTSD symptoms [37,38,39,40].”
  • An open trial of a 12-session ACT intervention for co-occurring PTSD and alcohol use disorder (n=43) showed an improvement in clinician-assessed and self-reported PTSD symptoms and quality of life post-treatment and at a 3-month follow-up.

    “An open trial of a 12-session ACT intervention for co-occurring PTSD and alcohol use disorder (n = 43) showed an improvement in clinician-assessed and self-reported PTSD symptoms and quality of life post-treatment and at a 3-month follow-up [40].”

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Authors
Meyer, E. C., Walser, R., Hermann, B., La Bash, H., DeBeer, B. B., Morissette, S. B., Kimbrel, N. A., Kwok, O., Batten, S. V., & Schnurr, P. P.
Affiliations
  • Texas A&M Health Science Center (US)
  • VA Palo Alto Health Care System (US)
  • VA Burlington Lakeside Clinic Burlington Vermont USA
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Integrated Service Network 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans at Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System Waco Texas USA
  • The University of Texas at San Antonio (US)
  • Durham VA Medical Center (US)
  • Texas A&M University (US)
  • Booz Allen Hamilton (United States) (US)
  • Dartmouth College (US)
Corresponding author
Meyer, Eric C.
Venue
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2018-10
Volume
31
Issue
5
Pages
781-789
ISSN
  • 0894-9867 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-6598
OpenAlex
W2896791686
Cited by
92
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 1
FWCI
9.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Traumatic Stress (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Veterans Integrated Service Network 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans.
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
acceptance and commitment therapy, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, veterans, treatment discontinuation, mindfulness practice, experiential avoidance, psychological inflexibility, quality of life, functional disability, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, values clarification, medication adherence
MeSH terms
Alcoholism, Female, Humans, Male, Pilot Projects, Quality of Life, Severity of Illness Index, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Veterans, Cohort Studies, Treatment Outcome, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

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