Physical and Mental Health and Other Functional Outcomes in Co-Occurring PTSD and Substance Use Disorders

This chapter reviews the many unique domains of functioning that may be negatively impacted by posttraumatic stress disorder and substance misuse or substance use disorder (PTSD/SUD) and considers some of the processes that may contribute to functional outcomes. It highlights clinical implications and directions for future research and deals with a review of the literature on physical health outcomes associated with PTSD/SUD. The chapter discusses work on a wide range of mental health outcomes, including symptom severity, treatment outcomes, and other comorbid mental health concerns. It examines outcomes related to other important domains of functioning such as social relationships, occupational functioning, and overall quality of life. The chapter also considers processes by which co-occurring PTSD/SUD may be linked to impairment in these various domains. It identifies gaps in the knowledge base, and how these gaps may inform future research directions.