Seeking Safety Therapy for Adolescent Girls with PTSD and Substance Use Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

Journal J Behav Health Serv Res

Publisher Springer

Specialty Health Services

Date 2006 Jul 22

PMID 16858633

Citations 62

Authors

Lisa M Najavits

Robert J Gallop

Roger D Weiss

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This randomized, controlled trial evaluated a manualized psychotherapy, Seeking Safety (SS), for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) in adolescent females. To our knowledge, no prior study has evaluated any psychotherapy designed for this population. SS was compared to treatment as usual (TAU) for 33 outpatients, at intake, end-of-treatment, and 3 months follow-up. SS evidenced significantly better outcomes than TAU in a variety of domains at posttreatment, including substance use and associated problems, some trauma-related symptoms, cognitions related to SUD and PTSD, and several areas of pathology not targeted in the treatment (e.g., anorexia, somatization). Effect sizes were generally in the moderate to high range. Some gains were sustained at follow-up. SS appears a promising treatment for this population, but needs further study and perhaps additional clinical modification.

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