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This study was a secondary data analysis of clinical trial data collected from 268 active duty U.S. military service members seeking cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at Fort Hood, Texas, related to combat operations following September 11, 2001. Our primary aim was to evaluate changes in PTSD symptom severity and alcohol misuse as a function of baseline hazardous drinking and treatment format (i.e., group or individual). At baseline and posttreatment, PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Symptom Scale–Interview Version and PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5. Hazardous drinking was categorically defined as an Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test total score of 8 or higher. Employing intent‐to‐treat, mixed‐effects regression analysis, all groups reported reduced PTSD symptom severity, Hedges' gs = −0.33 to −1.01, except, unexpectedly, nonhazardous drinkers who were randomized to group CPT, Hedges' g = −0.12. Hazardous drinkers who were randomized to individual therapy had larger reductions in PTSD symptoms than nonhazardous drinkers who were randomized to group CPT, Hedges' g = −0.25. Hazardous drinkers also reported significant reductions in alcohol misuse, regardless of treatment format, Hedges' gs = −0.78 to −0.86. This study builds upon an emerging literature suggesting that individuals with PTSD and co‐occurring alcohol use disorder can engage successfully in CPT, which appears to be an appropriate treatment for these individuals whether it is delivered individually or in a group format. However, as a portion of participants remained classified as hazardous drinkers at posttreatment, some individuals may benefit from integrated treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the association between chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is known about the longitudinal course of pain and PTSD during cancer treatment. Objectives: We examined the prevalence of PTSD and chronic pain at three time periods in veterans with a diagnosis of cancer, and the relationship between the experience of pain and PTSD. Methods: Participants (N = 123) with oral-digestive cancers were recruited from the Veterans Healthcare System (age M = 65.31 and SD = 9.13; 98.4% male) and completed face to face interviews at 6, 12, and 18 months post-diagnosis. Measures included the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Stressor-Specific version (PCL-S), Primary care PTSD (PC-PTSD), and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Impact Scale. Results: About one-third (26.8%) of the sample had chronic pain, defined as elevated pain at two time periods. About one-fifth (20.3%) endorsed symptoms of combat-related PTSD at 6 months, and 22.8% endorsed symptoms of cancer-related PTSD, exceeding a clinical cutoff for older adults (12 months = 21.1%, 18 months = 23.1%). Changes over time were observed for cancer-related PTSD symptom clusters of hyperarousal (F = 3.85 and p = 0.023) and emotional numbing (F = 4.06 and p = 0.018) with a statistically significant quadratic function increasing at 18 months. In logistic regression, individuals with both combat and cancer-related PTSD symptoms at six months had 8.49 times higher odds of experiencing chronic pain (χ2 = 25.91 and p < 0.001; R2 = 0.28). Conclusions: Persisting pain may be a concern in veterans with cancer. Individuals who have experienced traumatic events with persisting PTSD symptoms may be at elevated risk for chronic pain. Veterans with PTSD symptoms from both cancer and combat are at the highest risk to experience chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]