Course Description
Managing co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents unique clinical challenges that demand nuanced, integrated treatment strategies. This session will explore the high prevalence of co-occurrence, particularly in vulnerable populations, and the resulting impact on treatment engagement and outcomes. Psychiatric pharmacists will review the safety and efficacy of pharmacologic options for each condition, while identifying evidence-based strategies that may address both simultaneously. Attendees will develop personalized treatment plans that prioritize efficacy, safety, and the complex needs of patients living with both AUD and PTSD.
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatment options for co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD).
- Develop a treatment regimen for a patient with co-occurring PTSD and AUD.
- Describe how trauma-informed care principles can be utilized in patient care interactions.
Target Audience
If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this course.
Faculty
View biographical information
Theresa Frey, PharmD, BCPP is a psychiatric clinical pharmacist practitioner (CPP) and the residency director of the PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency program at the William S. Middleton VA in Madison, WI. Her clinical work has been in a variety of areas since graduating from PGY2 Pharmacy residency in 2011 including: residential substance use disorders, inpatient psychiatry, and outpatient psychiatric medication management. Currently, she works as a Harm Reduction Coordinator. Her interests include trainee mentoring, substance use disorders, overdose prevention, and motivational interviewing. She has helped support multiple VA National Clinical Pharmacy Practice Office initiatives to increase access to substance use disorders treatment via clinical pharmacist advanced practice models. She is a team member of the VA National Expert Consultation and Specialized Services- Mental Health: Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders program and the Ask-the-Expert Substance Use Disorders email response service.
Course Requirements
To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:
- Register for this course.
- Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
- Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
- Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.
Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures
Activity Dates: 4/21/2026-4/21/2029
ACPE Contact Hours: 1.0
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-##-###-###-P (Application)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.
The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
AAPP owns the copyright, is licensed or has received permissions for use of, or is otherwise permitted to use copyrighted materials within any CPE activity. Authors and speakers are required to obtain necessary copyright permissions for content in CPE activities. AAPP complies with copyright laws and regulations.
View disclaimer and disclosure of off-label use
Off-Label Use: This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA (see faculty information). The opinions expressed in the educational activity do not necessarily represent the views of AAPP and any educational partners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
View fair balance and integrity statement
It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.
Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.