Dissemination and feasibility of a cognitive-behavioral treatment for substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder in the veterans administration

This article describes a small dissemination effort and provides initial efficacy data for use of Seeking Safety, a cognitive-behavioral treatment for comorbid substance use disorders (SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in a VA setting. After providing a daylong interactive training in Seeking Safety to front-line clinicians, a cotherapist group practice model was implemented. Following 14 months of clinician training and an uncontrolled pilot study of four groups with 18 veterans, initial efficacy data indicate significant symptom reduction for patients and acceptability to clinicians. Findings are encouraging in that Seeking Safety treatment appears to have the potential to be beneficial for veterans with SUD-PTSD and also appeal to clinicians. Dissemination of Seeking Safety is feasible in the VA, yet there are likely barriers to sustaining it as a routine treatment. Recommendations for future dissemination are proposed, including ways VA administration can facilitate this process.