McHugh RK, et al. – An analysis was performed to investigate the association between anxiety sensitivity and trauma cue reactivity among trauma–exposed patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). The authors underscored the potential utility of targeting anxiety sensitivity in treatments for trauma–exposed patients with SUDs with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods

• The authors investigated the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and trauma cue reactivity among 194 trauma-exposed patients with SUDs (27.3% met criteria for current PTSD).
• Prior to and after exposure to a personally-relevant trauma cue, participants completed ratings of negative affect and substance cravings.

Results

• The outcomes of this study demonstrated that anxiety sensitivity was correlated with greater emotional reactivity (but not craving reactivity) to the trauma cue.
• As per the outcomes, PTSD symptom severity was correlated with greater emotional and craving reactivity to the trauma cue; neither PTSD symptom severity nor PTSD diagnosis moderated these associations.