CompletedNot Applicable

Adaptation of Written Exposure Therapy in Substance Treatment

United States26 participantsStarted 2025-11-21

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this pilot non-randomized, uncontrolled clinical trial is to test the feasibility and efficacy of written exposure therapy (WET) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as adapted for use within the context of residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. All participants meet criteria for PTSD and are in a short term residential SUD treatment program (target residential treatment duration = 28 days) regardless of the research. The main question the study aims to answer is: 1) Is the delivery of adapted WET feasible and acceptable in short term residential SUD treatment for individuals with severe SUD?

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Enrolled in residential SUD treatment at MTC * Meet criteria for PTSD based on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 * Be 18 years of age or older * Have sufficient memory of the index trauma to write about it * Be English speaking. Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to give informed consent for any reason (e.g., cognitive impairment) * Presence of acute psychosis or suicidality that would interfere with study participation * planning to leave residential treatment before WEST could realistically be completed as determined by the investigator

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

PTSD symptom reduction

Timeframe: Pre-WEST intervention; post-WEST intervention (approximately 14 days after randomization, but will vary based on when participants complete the intervention); 4-weeks post enrollment; 8-weeks post enrollment; 12-weeks post enrollment.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07108608

SponsorPotomac Health Foundations

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-06-22

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Posttraumatic Stress Disorder trials