This article examines the relationships between various types of traum
atic experiences and addictive behavior, with an eye to formulating ef
fective treatment strategies. Interventions in the posttraumatic stres
s disorder (PTSD) and related fields are reviewed in an effort to unde
rstand how best to integrate them into substance abuse treatment. The
recovery-oriented therapy model is used as a framework to define treat
ment tasks at each stage of the recovery process: how one addresses pa
inful issues depends on the objective, given the recovery stage at han
d. These tasks include making a commitment to abstinence, stopping alc
ohol and other drug use, consolidating abstinence and changing lifesty
les, and addressing short- and long-term psychosocial issues. The arti
cle focuses on the clinical features of PTSD in an effort to enhance t
he practitioner's ability to address this disorder within the context
of substance abuse treatment. Finally, recommendations are offered for
training practitioners at varying skill levels in the addiction treat
ment field.