A Pilot Study of Seeking Safety Therapy with OEF/OIF Veterans
Open accessAbstract
PTSD and substance use disorder (SUD) are highly prevalent among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom; OEF/OIF). Seeking Safety (SS) is a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for co-occurring PTSD/SUD. This pilot study with fourteen male OEF/OIF veterans suggests that SS may help to reduce alcohol use, PTSD, and depression in some participants at clinically significant levels, even when providing less than half of the full model. We emphasize several SS features as especially helpful: the case management component to help engage clients in further mental health and SUD care, offering PTSD as an entry point, and emphasis on community resources. Issues particular to veterans include reintegration to civilian life and supporting their connection with other veterans.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Studies over the past 20 years show Seeking Safety could reduce PTSD symptoms significantly among different populations.
“Over the past 20 years, various studies have been conducted showing that Seeking Safety could reduce PTSD symptoms significantly among different populations [29–31].”
From Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for Chinese adults with PTSD symptoms: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as [30]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory: Twenty-five years of evaluation
Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Carbin, M. G. (1988) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/0272-7358(88)90050-5 · Cited by 11,696 · see citing works
(2001) · Cited by 5,455 · see citing works
Defining empirically supported therapies.
Chambless, D. L., & Hollon, S. D. (1998) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.66.1.7 · Cited by 3,067 · see citing works
Defining empirically supported therapies.
Chambless, D. L., & Hollon, S. D. (1998) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.66.1.7 · Cited by 3,067 · see citing works
Hoge, C. W., Auchterlonie, J. L., & Milliken, C. S. (2006) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.295.9.1023 · Cited by 1,979 · see citing works
Seal (2007) · doi:10.1001/archinte.167.5.476 · Cited by 936 · see citing works
A comprehensive review of the psychometric properties of the Drug Abuse Screening Test
Yudko, E., Lozhkina, O., & Fouts, A. (2007) · Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment · doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2006.08.002 · Cited by 906 · see citing works
Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Problems Before and After Military Combat Deployment
Jacobson, I. G. (2008) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.300.6.663 · Cited by 659 · see citing works
Hudson, P. (2011) · British Journal of Guidance and Counselling · doi:10.1080/03069885.2010.550798 · Cited by 528 · see citing works
Vastrad, D., Chaudhary, G., & Ronad, S. V. (1962) · The Medical Journal of Australia · doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1976.tb140860.x · Cited by 393 · see citing works
Psychometric properties of the Drug Abuse Screening Test in psychiatric outpatients.
Cocco, K. M., & Carey, K. B. (1998) · Psychological Assessment · doi:10.1037/1040-3590.10.4.408 · Cited by 336 · see citing works
Cognitive Processing Therapy Veteran/Military Version:
Resick, P. A., & Monson, C. M. (2008) · Cited by 301 · see citing works
Course and treatment of patients with both substance use and posttraumatic stress disorders
Ouimette, P. C., Brown, P. J., & Najavits, L. M. (1998) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/s0306-4603(98)00064-1 · Cited by 245 · see citing works
Self-citationZlotnick, C., Johnson, J., & Najavits, L. M. (2009) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2008.09.004 · Cited by 221 · see citing works
Self-citationDo trauma history and PTSD symptoms influence addiction relapse context?
Norman, S. B., Tate, S. R., Anderson, K. G., & Brown, S. A. (2007) · Drug and Alcohol Dependence · doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2007.03.002 · Cited by 182 · see citing works
Self-citationAssessing clinical significance: Application to the beck depression inventory
Seggar, L. B., Lambert, M. J., & Hansen, N. B. (2002) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(02)80028-4 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Cognitive–behavioral couple's treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: Initial findings
Monson, C. M., Schnurr, P. P., Stevens, S. P., & Guthrie, K. A. (2004) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1023/b:jots.0000038483.69570.5b · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Baker, D. G., Heppner, P. S., Afari, N., Nunnink, S. E., Kilmer, M. T., Simmons, A. N., Harder, L. H., & Bosse, B. (2009) · Military Medicine · doi:10.7205/milmed-d-03-3808 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Clinicians' views on treating posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder
Najavits, L. M. (2002) · Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment · doi:10.1016/s0740-5472(02)00219-2 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Self-citationCook, J. M., Walser, R. D., Kane, V. R., Ruzek, J. I., & WOODY, G. E. (2006) · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs · doi:10.1080/02791072.2006.10399831 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse
Najavits, L. M. (2004) · Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly · doi:10.1300/j020v22n01_04 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Self-citationImproving PTSD/Substance Abuse Treatment in the VA: A Survey of Providers
Najavits, L. M., Norman, S. B., Kivlahan, D. R., & Kosten, T. R. (2010) · American Journal on Addictions · doi:10.1111/j.1521-0391.2010.00039.x · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Self-citationClinicians' Guide to Evidence-Based Practice
Hamilton, J. D. (2005) · Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1097/01.chi.0000155321.26250.54 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Pilot Test of Seeking Safety Treatment With Male Veterans
Weaver, C. M., Trafton, J. A., Walser, R. D., & Kimerling, R. E. (2007) · Psychiatric Services · doi:10.1176/appi.ps.58.7.1012 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(1911) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.1911.04260090280013 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Najavits LM Seeking Safety therapy for men: Clinical and research experiences Men and Addictions Hauppauge, NY Nova Science Publishers In press-b.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
McCauley, J. L., Killeen, T. K., Grös, D. F., Brady, K. T., & Back, S. E. (2012) · Clinical Psychology Science and Practice · doi:10.1111/cpsp.12006 · Cited by 408 · see citing works
Blanco, C., Xu, Y., Brady, K. T., Pérez-Fuentes, G., Okuda, M., & Wang, S. (2013) · Drug and Alcohol Dependence · doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.04.016 · Cited by 313 · see citing works
Goetter, E. M., Bui, E., Ojserkis, R. A., Zakarian, R. J., Brendel, R. W., & Simon, N. M. (2015) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.22038 · Cited by 215 · see citing works
Najavits, L. M., & Hien, D. A. (2013) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.21980 · Cited by 211 · see citing works
Self-citationvan Dam, D., Vedel, E., Ehring, T. W., & Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2012) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.01.004 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Zinzow, H. M., Britt, T. W., McFadden, A. C., Burnette, C. M., & Gillispie, S. (2012) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.09.002 · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Psychotherapy for military-related posttraumatic stress disorder: Review of the evidence
Steenkamp, M. M., & Litz, B. T. (2012) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.10.002 · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Cognitive Processing Therapy for veterans with comorbid PTSD and alcohol use disorders
Kaysen, D. L., Schumm, J. A., Pedersen, E. R., Seim, R. W., Bedard‐Gilligan, M. A., & Chard, K. M. (2013) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.08.016 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Boden, M. T., Kimerling, R. E., Jacobs‐Lentz, J., Bowman, D., Weaver, C. M., Carney, D. V., Walser, R. D., & Trafton, J. A. (2011) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03658.x · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Treatment of Co-occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders
Berenz, E. C., & Coffey, S. F. (2012) · Current Psychiatry Reports · doi:10.1007/s11920-012-0300-0 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Kamperman, A. M., Henrichs, J., Bogaerts, S., Lesaffre, E. M. E. H., Wierdsma, A. I., Ghauharali, R., Swildens, W. E., Nijssen, Y. A. M., van der Gaag, M., Theunissen, J., et al. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0091029 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Military service member and veteran reintegration: A critical review and adapted ecological model.
Elnitsky, C., Blevins, C. L., Fisher, M., & Magruder, K. M. (2017) · American Journal of Orthopsychiatry · doi:10.1037/ort0000244 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Dworkin, E. R. (2018) · Alcohol research · doi:10.35946/arcr.v39.2.06 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Treating complex trauma among veterans: three stage-based treatment models
Landes, S. J., Garovoy, N. D., & Burkman, K. M. (2013) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.21988 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Harvey, M. M., Petersen, T., Sager, J. C., Makhija, N. J., Wright, E. C., Clark, E. L., Laifer, L. M., Richards, L. K., Chow, L. K., Sylvia, L. G., et al. (2018) · Cognitive and Behavioral Practice · doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2018.07.003 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Validation of the Italian version of the Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale (NPSS)
Poli, A., & Miccoli, M. (2024) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27625 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Hien, D. A., Papini, S., Saavedra, L. M., Bauer, A. G., Ruglass, L. M., Ebrahimi, C. T., Fitzpatrick, S., López‐Castro, T., Norman, S. B., Killeen, T. K., et al. (2023) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/bul0000409 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Self-citationBehavioral Treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Flanagan, J. C. (2018) · Alcohol research · doi:10.35946/arcr.v39.2.08 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Military and veteran health behavior research and practice: challenges and opportunities
Haibach, J. P., Haibach, M. A., Hall, K. S. M., Masheb, R. M., Little, M. A., Shepardson, R. L., Dobmeyer, A. C., Funderburk, J. S., Hunter, C. L., Dundon, M., et al. (2016) · Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s10865-016-9794-y · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Allen, J. P. (2016) · Alcohol research · doi:10.35946/arcr.v38.1.16 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Co-occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorders in Veteran Populations
Carter, A. C., Capone, C., & Short, E. E. (2011) · Journal of Dual Diagnosis · doi:10.1080/15504263.2011.620453 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Westphal, M., Aldao, A., & Jackson, C. (2017) · Military Psychology · doi:10.1037/mil0000157 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Lipov, E., Navaie, M., Brown, P. R., Hickey, A. H., Stedje-Larsen, E. T., & McLay, R. N. (2013) · Military Medicine · doi:10.7205/milmed-d-12-00290 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Angkaw, A. C., Haller, M. M., Pittman, J. O. E., Nunnink, S. E., Norman, S. B., Lemmer, J. A., McLay, R. N., & Baker, D. G. (2015) · Military Medicine · doi:10.7205/milmed-d-14-00473 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Self-citationHien, D. A., Kropp, F. B., Wells, E. A., Campbell, A. N. C., Hatch‐Maillette, M. A., Hodgkins, C. C., Killeen, T. K., López‐Castro, T., Morgan‐López, A. A., Ruglass, L. M., et al. (2020) · Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment · doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2020.02.003 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Grossbard, J. R., Hawkins, E. J., Lapham, G. T., Williams, E. C., Rubinsky, A. D., Simpson, T. L., Seal, K. H., Kivlahan, D. R., & Bradley, K. A. (2013) · Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment · doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2013.04.007 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
McDevitt‐Murphy, M. E. (2011) · Professional Psychology Research and Practice · doi:10.1037/a0022346 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Capone, C., Presseau, C., Saunders, E. C., Eaton, E. M., Hamblen, J. L., & McGovern, M. P. (2018) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-018-9931-8 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
A Scoping Review of Psychological Interventions for PTSD in Military Personnel and Veterans
Rose, S., Aiken, A. B., & McColl, M. A. (2014) · Military Behavioral Health · doi:10.1080/21635781.2014.963757 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Luciano, M. T., McDevitt‐Murphy, M. E., Acuff, S. F., Bellet, B. W., Tripp, J. C., & Murphy, J. G. (2018) · Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · doi:10.1037/tra0000378 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Murphy, T. M., Dispenza, F., Chang, C. Y., Elston, N. C., Rumsey, A. D., Sinclair, M., & Curtis-Davidson, R. (2019) · Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.03.006 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Web-based alcohol intervention for veterans: PTSD, combat exposure, and alcohol outcomes.
Brief, D. J., Solhan, M. B., Rybin, D. V., Enggasser, J. L., Rubin, A., Roy, M., Helmuth, E., Schreiner, A. M., Heilman, M. E., Vittorio, L. N., et al. (2017) · Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · doi:10.1037/tra0000281 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Searcy, V., & Lipps, A. (2012) · Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly · doi:10.1080/07347324.2012.663304 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
McGrath, E. E. A. C. (2014) · Journal of Traumatic Stress Disorders & Treatment · doi:10.4172/2324-8947.1000134 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Pimentel, F. U., & de Oliveira, S. E. S. (2024) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104165 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Weiss, E. L., Coll, J. E., Mayeda, S., Mascarenas, J., Lawlor, K., & DeBraber, T. (2012) · Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions · doi:10.1080/1533256x.2012.676471 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Froelich, J. M., Timko, C., & Woodhead, E. L. (2022) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.22806 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Psychotherapy of Complex PTSD: Focus on a Phase-Based Approach
Lee, J. (2020) · 한국심리학회지: 일반 · doi:10.22257/kjp.2020.6.39.2.307 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Co-occurring Substance and Mental Health Disorders
Quinones, L., Edens, E. L., & Rosenheck, R. A. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-7438-2_20 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Norman, S. B. (2019) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.2229 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Self-citationMak, B. S. W., Zhang, D., Powell, C. L. Y. M., Leung, M. K. W., Lo, H. H. M., Yang, X., Yip, B. H. K., Lee, E. K. P., Xu, Z., & Wong, S. Y. S. (2024) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-024-05840-x · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Daoust, J.-P. É., Najavits, L. M., Biyong, I., Juéry, C., & Krause, S. (2015) · Drogues santé et société · doi:10.7202/1032275ar · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationTrauma symptoms, recovery, and participation in the Wellness Management and Recovery (WMR) program
Lee, A., Bullock, W. A., & Hoy, J. (2016) · American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/15487768.2016.1162755 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Howry, S. K., Vogt, M. L., Kim, B. L., Bennett, E., IV, Cain, M. D., & Thyer, B. A. (2025) · Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment · doi:10.1080/10911359.2025.2499657 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Wolfe, W. R., Staudenmeyer, A. H., Cloître, M., Hubbard, A., Schmitz, M., Mohlenhoff, B., Maguen, S., & Neylan, T. C. (2025) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2025.116612 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Dolan, J. (2012) · e-Publications@Marquette (Marquette University) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
The self in conflict: securing a sense of self in militaryand civilian contexts
Grimes, J. (2012) · City Research Online (City University London)
Impact of Co-occurring Treatment Program on Participant Perceived Quality of Life
Barrell, R. G. (2013)
Seeking Safety som behandling vid PTSD : En single case studie i psykiatrisk öppenvård
Löfvenhaft, Å. (2013) · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Mak, B. S. W., Zhang, D., Powell, C. L. Y. M., Leung, M. K. W., Lo, H., Yang, X., Yip, B. H. K., Lee, E. K. P., Xu, Z., & Wong, S. Y. S. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.25929200
Reid, M. R., Apana, N., Kim, S., & Helm, S. (2026) · Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment · doi:10.1016/j.josat.2026.209906
Daoust, J.-P. É., Renaud, M., Bruyère, B., Najavits, L. M., & Juéry, C. (2014) · Psy Cause · doi:10.3917/psca.065.0013
Self-citation
- Authors
- Norman, S. B., Wilkins, K. C., Tapert, S. F., Lang, A. J., & Najavits, L. M.
- Affiliations
- VA San Diego Healthcare System (US)
- San Diego State University (US)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-03
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 83-87
- ISSN
- 0279-1072 (ISSN-L)
- 2159-9777
- PMC
- PMC2962932
- OpenAlex
- W2041655758
- Cited by
- 53
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 7.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (K23AA015707)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Education › Education and Military Integration
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, OEF/OIF veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, alcohol consumption, depression, case management, community resources, cognitive behavioral therapy
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pilot Projects, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Time Factors, Veterans, Warfare, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult, Afghan Campaign 2001-, Checklist
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
