# Integrated Early Intervention for Alcohol Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Sexual Assault

> **NIH NIH K23** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2020 · $208,979

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 The overall objective of the proposed Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award
(K23) is to support Dr. Christine Hahn in acquiring the skills necessary to become an independent investigator
with a program of research focused on the development of interventions for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and
comorbid mental health conditions, in particular posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). AUD and PTSD frequently
co-occur among people who experience traumatic life events, such as sexual assault. There is a lack of
established evidence-based interventions, however, to reduce AUD and PTSD among recent victims. The
proposed study directly addresses this clinical gap by testing the novel integration of two, evidence-based,
cognitive-behavioral interventions for AUD and PTSD to be delivered in five sessions beginning in the six weeks
following sexual assault. In Phase 1, we will adapt the intervention using an iterative process informed by expert
feedback. In Phase 2, we will conduct an open label trial (n = 10) to finalize the treatment protocol. In Phase 3,
we will use the treatment protocol in a pilot randomized controlled trial among 54 recent sexual assault victims
to evaluate feasibility and preliminary efficacy in reducing AUD severity and PTSD symptoms. Ecological
momentary assessments (EMA) will be used to assess alcohol use, craving, and affect during the five-week
treatment phase. The candidate has assembled a team of experienced mentors with expertise in AUD, PTSD,
sexual assault, psychotherapy development, clinical trials, and ecological momentary assessment. On-site
mentors (Drs. Sudie Back, Kathleen Brady, Michael Saladin) have extensive knowledge in developing and
conducting clinical trials of behavioral and pharmacological interventions for co-occurring AUD and PTSD. Dr.
Saladin has expertise in real-time data collection methods in addiction research. Off-site mentors (Dr. Barbara
Rothbaum at Emory University and Dr. Brian Marx at Boston University) will provide additional guidance on early,
brief interventions to reduce AUD and PTSD symptoms following sexual assault. The mentorship, formal
coursework, seminars, and national conference attendance afforded by the K23 award will ensure that the
candidate achieves the following career goals: (1) Gain new knowledge in AUD mechanisms and interventions;
(2) Develop skills in designing and implementing clinical trials for AUD and co-occurring PTSD; (3) Increase
statistical skills with multilevel and longitudinal data analyses; (4) Enhance understanding of research ethics;
and (5) Continue professional development through manuscript writing, professional presentations, and grant
writing. The candidate will complete the proposed K23 activities at the Medical University of South Carolina,
which has a strong track record of commitment to the advancement of early stage AUD investigators. The
proposed K23 activities will ultimately prepare Dr. Hahn to lead a program of rigorousl...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10055047
- **Project number:** 1K23AA028055-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Christine Kathryn Hahn
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $208,979
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10055047

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10055047, Integrated Early Intervention for Alcohol Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Sexual Assault (1K23AA028055-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10055047. Licensed CC0.

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