RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06872164

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

Onsite PTSD Treatment to Improve MOUD Outcomes: Open Pilot Trial of Stakeholder-engaged Adapted Cognitive Processing Therapy

Sponsor

The City College of New York

Enrollment

15 participants

Start Date

Nov 17, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Opioid-use Disorder Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Summary

The goal of this open pilot trial is to learn if an adapted version of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), delivered through telehealth, can treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults who use syringe services programs. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can the intervention be done in syringe services programs? * Are syringe services program clients and staff open to the intervention? * Can the intervention lower PTSD symptoms and help participants keep taking their medication for opioid use disorder (ex. Buprenorphine or methadone)? Participants will: * Attend 4-18 tele-delivered CPT sessions at the syringe services program * Complete between-session CPT practice with the support of SSP-based "coaches" * Meet with research staff monthly to complete surveys of their PTSD symptoms, drug use, and mental health

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria9

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 Criteria4

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).

Interventions

BEHAVIORALCognitive Processing Therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD that provides education and teaches skills to challenge the trauma-related beliefs that maintain PTSD symptoms. In this study, CPT has been adapted to include content on the relationship between substance use and PTSD and a focus on harm reduction.