0949 The Relationship between Heavy Alcohol Use and Insomnia on PTSD Symptom Severity

Abstract

Introduction: Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) comorbid with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common following trauma and are more difficult to treat than any single disorder. Insomnia is associated with both disorders and is related to increased drinking, higher probability of relapse and worse daytime PTSD symptoms. Understanding how insomnia may moderate the relationship between AU and PTSD may influence clinical interventions to decrease AU/PTSD severity. We examined the relationship between heavy AU and insomnia on PTSD severity in a veteran sample seeking treatment for comorbid PTSD/AUDs. Methods: This study used the baseline data of 108 veterans seeking PTSD and AUD treatment at the San Diego VA Healthcare System (Age=43.01 ± 14.16; 88.9% male). Measures were the clinician administered PTSD scale (CAPS) with sleep items removed, insomnia severity index (ISI), sleep diary and actigraphy indices, and number of heavy drinking days in the past 90 days. Analyses used regressions controlling for heavy AU, depression, and sleep medication. We also examined the interaction of heavy drinking and insomnia on PTSD severity. Results: Lower sleep efficiency (β =-.32, t(65)=-2.65, p=.01), shorter total sleep time (β =-.34,t(65)=-2.92,p=.005), and worse ISI scores (β=.43,t(101)=5.16,p