Implications of posttraumatic growth for the treatment of comorbid substance abuse among survivors of traumatic experiences

•The present study explores the relevance of posttraumatic growth for comorbid substance use among patients with PTSD symptoms.•A measure of substance use coping was regressed on scores of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory subscales.•The Appreciation of Life subscale was a significant predictor of substance use coping.•The concept of posttraumatic growth has clinical implications for comorbid substance use among trauma survivors.