Can writing help heal Veterans' trauma and addiction?

This study tested if adding a brief writing therapy to a standard 28-day residential addiction program could help Veterans who have both PTSD and a substance use disorder. 56 Veterans were randomly assigned to receive either the standard program alone or the standard program plus five sessions of Written Exposure Therapy. Researchers measured symptoms, quality of life, and substance use for three months to see if the combined approach was helpful and practical.