Managing Opioid Use Disorder and Co-Occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans.

Support and safety measures are essential for Veterans admitted to acute psychiatric units with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. A human patient simulator was used to train clinicians to recognize opioid withdrawal symptoms. Clinicians were educated to assess for opioid withdrawal symptoms using the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale. Knowledge was evaluated via pre/posttest. All participants' (N = 12) posttest scores improved. Participants self-rated their perception of clinical knowledge and practice skills as higher postintervention. Veterans indicated decreased concern about opioid withdrawal symptoms and increased perception that symptoms were adequately evaluated and treated by clinicians. Overall, the intervention appeared to enhance the provision of quality care in Veterans with OUD and co-occurring PTSD on an acute inpatient psychiatric unit. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 56(6), 36-42.].