Open Pilot Trial of Adapted Cognitive Processing Therapy for Comorbid PTSD and Opioid Use Disorder

Launched by THE CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK · Mar 10, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new way to help adults who have both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid use disorder. The researchers want to see if an adapted version of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which is a type of talk therapy, can be effectively delivered through telehealth at syringe services programs. These programs provide support and resources for individuals who use drugs, and the trial will focus on whether clients and staff are open to this therapy, whether it can reduce PTSD symptoms, and whether it helps participants continue their opioid medication.

To be eligible for this trial, participants should be over 18 years old, have attended a syringe services program regularly, and meet certain criteria for opioid use disorder and PTSD. If someone joins the study, they can expect to attend 4 to 18 therapy sessions online, practice skills with support from "coaches," and complete monthly surveys about their symptoms and mental health. It’s important to know that this trial is not yet recruiting participants, and individuals with a high risk of suicide or certain mental health conditions will not be able to participate for their safety.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Over the age of 18
• • Regular syringe services program attendance (ex. at least 4 visits in the past month)
• • Meeting DSM-5 opioid use disorder criteria
• • Having been prescribed a medication for opioid use disorder in the past 30 days at the time of screening
• • Criterion A event as measured by the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5)
• • PTSD symptoms at the level of a PTSD diagnosis as evidenced by a score of 31 or greater on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
• • Ability to understand English
• • Consent to have assessment interviews audio recorded and teletherapy sessions video recorded for research purposes
• • Ability to provide informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • High risk for suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors that would make participation dangerous, as measured by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale Lifetime-Recent Screen
• • Meeting DSM-5 criteria for a current psychotic or bipolar disorder.
• • Cognitive impairment liable to interfere with completion of study procedures
• • Currently receiving trauma-focused psychotherapy (i.e. Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy).