Patient and Provider Perspectives on Treating Substance Use Disorder and Co-Occurring Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

Co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety disorders are related to compounded impairment relative to anxiety or PTSD and SUD occurring alone. Despite these problems, treatment for this comorbidity can vary widely; and care is often fragmented across separate clinics and providers. The objective of the study was to understand the perspectives of veterans who navigate the treatment system and providers who care for these veterans. This study used qualitative interviews conducted with 9 veterans with SUD and co-occurring PTSD and/or anxiety disorders and 7 Veterans Health Administration mental health providers. Participants completed a semistructured interview that was recorded and transcribed. Interview data were examined through matrix analysis, a rapid qualitative data-compilation technique to organize domains of responses. Results showed that veterans believe that SUD and PTSD and/or anxiety symptoms are linked, and that treatment for both SUD and the disorders simultaneously could be beneficial. Interviews with providers found that factors of the healthcare system such as siloed clinics serve as barriers to optimal treatment and that co-occurring disorder treatment requires unique skill, training, and dedicated time to treat. Results of these interviews inform gaps in the delivery of care for co-occurring SUD, PTSD, and anxiety disorders and potential avenues to improve care delivery, including transdiagnostic interventions and system-focused innovations.