Date of Award
Spring 2012
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
First Advisor
Melchert, Timothy
Second Advisor
Allen, Mike
Third Advisor
Edwards, Lisa
Abstract
The dual diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders affects a large number of people. Various treatments have been used for addressing these co-occurring disorders and have now been empirically tested. These treatments can be divided into two categories: sequential and integrated. The goal of this study was to meta-analytically examine the effectiveness of these treatments and compare these two categories of treatment. Secondary objectives included the exploration of potential moderator variables and the symptom interplay between the two disorders after treatment. The results of the study suggested that treatment for the dual diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders is generally effective. There were no major differences, however, between the two categories of treatment. There also was no evidence of symptom interplay. There were no clear moderators. There was also evidence that outcomes in this area of the research literature are being affected by the “file drawer” problem, though likely not to a degree that would greatly weaken these results.