Sarah Meshberg-Cohen, PhD

My primary research interest involves the field of addictions, with a specific focus on health and psychiatric problems co-occurring with substance use disorders (SUD), disability compensation for veterans, interventions targeting SUD and comorbid trauma-related conditions, and treatment addressing opioid use disorders (OUD) among veterans with trauma-related conditions. I have dedicated my work to exploring, developing and enhancing evidence-based treatments targeting the unique experiences of individuals presenting with co-occurring SUD and PTSD. Consequently, there is a great deal of overlap between my clinical, educational, and research interests.

Prior to coming to the VA, I obtained a NIH/NIDA grant and a VCU Institute for Women’s Health grant investigating whether Expressive Writing could augment treatment for women seeking SUD treatment, with an emphasis on co-occurring trauma and dual-diagnoses. I have also participated in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) examining treatments for use with addictive disorders and co-occurring diagnoses.

Since coming to the VA, I have become increasingly invested in research involving disability compensation for Veterans’ with substance use and mental health conditions. My role as Director of VACHS' Outpatient Addiction Recovery Service (OARS) as well as my clinical work and research in treating individuals with co-occurring addictions and trauma, has led to increased interest in improving treatment engagement and adherence for returning service members. To this end, I am involved in research examining the role of PTSD Compensation and Pension (C&P) claims on Veterans’ overall treatment engagement, quality of life, and mental health outcomes.

In addition to examining treatment engagement, I am dedicated to bringing evidence-based trauma care into SUD treatment settings and making it more acceptable and feasible in these settings. I am a co-investigator on a randomized clinical trial examining the impact of cognitive processing therapy with buprenorphine maintenance for veterans with comorbid OUD and PTSD. My current work also examines the feasibility and efficacy of a brief trauma-focused narrative exposure therapy for veterans seeking SUD treatment who present with comorbid PTSD. I am the Principal Investigator on a grant-funded randomized clinical trial investigating written exposure therapy (WET) for veterans seeking outpatient SUD treatment who present with comorbid PTSD, with a goal of improving trauma and substance use outcomes for veterans.