Toolkit Type: PTSD Toolkit

Hien, D. A., Morgan-López, A. A., Saavedra, L. M., Ruglass, L. M., Ye, A., López-Castro, T., Fitzpatrick, S., Killeen, T. K., Norman, S. B., Ebrahimi, C. T., & Back, S. E. (2023). Project Harmony: A meta-analysis with individual patient data on behavioral and pharmacologic trials for comorbid posttraumatic stress and alcohol or other drug use […] » Read More

UVM CORA can provide rural treatment providers with physical copies of the PTSD treatment manuals below. Click here to submit a request for these materials. Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences – Therapist Guide (2nd Edition) – by Foa et al., Oxford Academic. This therapist guide to prolonged exposure (PE) treatment […] » Read More

Evidence-based interventions for PTSD are time-intensive and require training to deliver. However, recent studies suggest that the results are well worth the effort. For individuals with co-occurring PTSD and SUD, trauma-focused treatments such as PE and CPT are consistently more likely to lead to improvements by the end of treatment.1 For example, a recent study […] » Read More

Manualized trauma-focused therapy is the first-line treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines – Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder 2023 recommend Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as the most effective treatments for PTSD. In addition, Concurrent Treatment of […] » Read More

University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction (UVM CORA) aims to support mental health professionals who are providing care to people with OUD in HRSA-designated rural counties by covering the costs associated with taking one of the five trainings (described below) in evidence-based psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We have included an application (linked […] » Read More

Several training opportunities are available for treatment providers who are interested in learning how to deliver evidence-based posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessments and interventions. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a free online course for providers who are interested in learning about the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), which is the gold-standard […] » Read More

SAMHSA: Opioid Overdose SAMHSA: Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications SAMHSA: Buprenorphine SAMHSA: Methadone » Read More

Rural healthcare providers who treat people with PTSD face unique challenges. By recognizing the challenges and benefits specific to rural healthcare, you may be better equipped to adapt your own practice, reduce barriers to care, and provide more effective treatment to people with PTSD. Below we provide information and resources that may be particularly helpful […] » Read More

In addition to educational materials about PTSD generally, it may be helpful to provide patients with educational materials with specific information about the co-occurrence of PTSD and SUDs. Below, we provide links to resources that are accessible and easy-to-understand for patients and families of people with PTSD. These resources provide definitions of substance use problems, […] » Read More

In addition to OUD, it is well-established that PTSD often co-occurs with other SUDs. This co-occurrence is associated with a worse, more costly, and more complex clinical course than either disorder alone. The resources provided below are intended for treatment providers who are interested in learning more about the co-occurrence of PTSD and other SUDs. […] » Read More

The U.S. opioid crisis continues as opioid-related overdose deaths and health costs have reached staggering levels. There is growing recognition that co-occurring mental health conditions such as PTSD are associated with adverse opioid-related outcomes. The resources provided below are geared toward medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and mental health treatment providers. They provide an […] » Read More

Adverse childhood experiences and trauma are associated with substance use. Physical and sexual violence, child abuse or neglect, and family or social conflict are related to an increased risk for developing a substance use disorder. Below, we provide links to resources for providers as well as patients who are interested in better understanding the connection […] » Read More

Educational materials can be provided to all patients who are experiencing trauma-related difficulties. Below, we provide links to resources that are accessible and easy-to-understand for patients and families of people with PTSD. These resources provide an overview of the signs and symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for PTSD and may be useful for facilitating […] » Read More

Below we provide links to two of the most recent guidelines for the assessment, prevention, and treatment of PTSD in adults. Both guidelines have been updated recently and offer specific recommendations for treating PTSD with co-occurring conditions (e.g., substance use disorders). These guidelines are based on systematic reviews of the scientific evidence. VA/DoD Clinical Practice […] » Read More

Below, we provide links to information and educational resources on a variety of topics related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the co-occurrence of PTSD and opioid use disorder (OUD) and other substance use disorders. We also provide information and tools that may be particularly helpful for providers and staff in rural communities who are […] » Read More