Alcoholism treatment of Vietnam veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

Vietnam veterans with alcoholism and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are a clinically problematic population. Early self-medication of the PTSD with alcohol led for some to alcohol abuse and dependency. These may often be treated in an intensive alcoholism program. At evaluation both diagnoses are made, and patients are told that alcohol or drug use is not tolerated. The program first focuses on traditional alcoholism treatment issues. Early and consistent support to enhance self-esteem and to reduce guilt helps the patient later to tolerate the gradual investigation of the anger and self-loathing associated with both disorders. Important forces include family and peer support, effective limit setting in a structured milieu, supportive confrontation of alcoholic denial through multidisciplinary treatment in the absence of alcohol. Outpatient follow-up treatment groups include other PTSD sufferers and focus on establishing trust, interweaving the issues of adjustment to sobriety with discussion of the combat experience in a safe, accepting environment, with careful modulation of anxiety by the clinician. Medication must be conservative; benzodiazepines are not used after the detoxification period.