Alcohol dependence

This completed trial in Xishui, China, tested a community-based program for 3,571 adults aged 35 and older who were at high risk for COPD and had mental health symptoms. The program included lung function tests, digital mental health support, smoking cessation help, and health ed…

This study tested a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS to see if it could help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. 147 adults who wanted to cut back on drinking received TMS and were tracked for 4 months. The goal was to measure changes in drinking days,…

This study tested a web-based addiction treatment program that was culturally adapted for American Indians and Alaska Natives. 53 adults in outpatient treatment used the program for 12 weeks. The goal was to see if it helped them stay away from drugs and alcohol and to decide if …

This study tested whether giving people with alcohol dependence a one-month course of diazepam (40 mg per day) after detoxification could reduce the chance of relapsing into drinking within the next three months. The standard detoxification treatment is usually about one week. Th…

This study tested a mindfulness program designed for women in residential treatment for substance use disorders. The program, called Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Women (MBRP-W), teaches stress management skills to help women stay in treatment and avoid relapse. Resear…

This study tested whether peer recovery coaches in emergency departments can help people with substance use disorders connect to treatment and support. 144 adults were randomly assigned to get in-person coaching, coaching via video call, or just a list of resources. Researchers f…

This study tested whether topiramate, a seizure medication, can help people who are dependent on both alcohol and nicotine. 236 adults received either a low or high dose of topiramate or a placebo, plus behavioral therapy. The goal was to see if the drug could reduce heavy drinki…

This study tested a smartphone-based program that uses rewards, coaching, and breathalyzer tests to help 236 adults with alcohol use disorder reduce drinking. Participants earned money for staying sober, tracked via breath tests and self-reports. The goal was to see if this digit…

This study tested a digital pill and smartphone app to help people with substance use disorders take their HIV prevention medication (PrEP) consistently. Thirty HIV-negative men who have sex with men and have moderate to severe substance use disorder participated. They used a dig…

This completed study tested whether a Mediterranean diet could improve metabolic syndrome markers in 30 hospitalized adults with psychiatric conditions. Participants followed either a Mediterranean diet or a standard hospital diet for 8 weeks, then switched. Researchers measured …

This study tested a smartphone app designed to help people recovering from alcohol dependence avoid relapse. The app uses a training game to change unconscious habits that make people reach for alcohol. 600 participants used either the active training or a placebo version. The go…

This small pilot study tested an 8-week mindfulness and meditation program in 3 adults with substance use disorders. Participants reported lower stress and improved mindfulness after the program. One person stayed sober long-term, while two relapsed within a year. The study shows…

This study tested whether a digital mindfulness app is practical and acceptable for people in early recovery from substance use disorders. 36 participants were randomly assigned to standard group therapy alone or standard therapy plus the app for 8 weeks. The main goal was to see…

This study tested a type of group therapy called Resilience-Oriented Therapy (RoT) for adults in Rwanda who were struggling with mental health issues like trauma, depression, anxiety, or anger. 427 people took part, and the therapy was tailored to each person's main problem, such…

This study tested two brief, video-based therapies for women who experienced sexual assault and now struggle with PTSD and heavy drinking. One therapy focused on facing trauma memories, the other on building healthier drinking habits. The goal was to see if these short treatments…

This study tested whether a 4-week program using active video games (exergames) on the Nintendo Switch could help adults with mental illness feel better and stay motivated. Twelve participants were split into two groups: one played exergames, the other continued their usual routi…

This study tested whether adding a personalized therapy scale to standard treatment helps reduce cravings in people with substance use disorders or behavioral addictions like gambling. 151 adults seeking outpatient care participated. The approach aimed to tailor treatment to each…

This study looked at whether a 4-week circuit training program could improve heart and lung fitness in men recovering from drug addiction. Sixty men were split into two groups: one did circuit training (like push-ups, stair climbing, and high knees) three times a week, and the ot…

This study tested a breathing and meditation program called SKY Recovery in 100 people recovering from substance use disorder at a residential center. Participants either took the program right away or after a delay. Researchers measured changes in emotion regulation, cravings, a…

This study looked at whether an online cognitive behavioral therapy program, called Breaking Free Online, helps people with substance use disorder cut back on their drug or alcohol use. About 200 adults from an outpatient addiction program took part. Some got standard care with g…

This study tested a special type of talk therapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT) delivered over telehealth to help veterans who feel lonely and struggle with substance use. The goal was to see if the program was practical and well-liked by participants. Thirty-six veterans…

This study tested whether providing overnight infant care and parenting support helps new mothers with substance use disorder living in residential treatment programs. 41 mothers participated, and researchers measured how many enrolled, completed the program, and gave feedback. T…

This completed study looked at whether combining exercise with music can help people recovering from drug addiction. 92 adults in a Chinese rehab center were split into groups: exercise only, exercise with fast music, exercise with slow music, or a control group. Over six months,…

This study looked at 23 adults going through alcohol detox to see how the bacteria in their mouth and gut change over time. Researchers collected stool and mouth samples along with diet and mood questionnaires. The goal was to better understand the link between gut bacteria, anxi…

This study aims to create and improve cognitive tasks used during functional MRI scans to better understand how drugs affect the brain. It involves 525 healthy volunteers, including both drug users and non-users, aged 18 to 65. Participants perform tasks like memory tests or reac…

This study looked at how sleep quality and beliefs about sleep affect the risk of relapse in people recovering from alcohol dependence. Researchers followed 198 adults as they left inpatient rehab and returned home, measuring sleep with questionnaires and activity monitors. The g…

Sleep problems affect up to 90% of people with alcohol dependence and often lead to relapse. This study tests whether a short questionnaire called the Short Sleep Index (SSI) can reliably measure sleep quality compared to a longer, standard sleep questionnaire. Researchers will a…

This study tested whether a 10-week recovery program, co-led by a peer with mental illness and a professional, is feasible for people with mental illness in Taiwan. Twenty participants completed the program, which focused on recovery concepts, strengths, and goal setting. Researc…

This study looked back at the records of 652 patients who were seen in the emergency department of a French hospital and then referred to a special addiction liaison team. The goal was to understand the social and medical backgrounds of these patients. The findings could help hos…

This study combined brain imaging with real-world data from mobile devices to explore how addiction affects the brain. Researchers scanned the brains of 107 people with alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine dependence, along with healthy controls. They also tracked cravings and daily fu…

This study tested whether a mobile app could help people on probation or parole who are receiving treatment for substance use disorder. 31 adults used the app alongside their usual care. Researchers measured how easy the app was to use and how satisfied participants were with it.

This study looked at how thinking skills and brain activity differ in people who self-harm compared to those who don't. Researchers interviewed 316 adults and gave them thinking tests, with some also having brain scans. The goal was to better understand self-harm to help create m…

This study tested a program called Recovery Bridge, where trained peer specialists (people with lived experience of mental illness) helped veterans leaving a psychiatric hospital connect to outpatient care and community life. Fifteen veterans took part to see if the program was f…

This study tested whether an anti-stigma training program for healthcare providers improves attitudes toward people with mental illness or substance use problems. About 485 staff and clients from six health centers took part, with three centers receiving the training and three no…

This study looked at the best ways to bring FDA-approved digital treatments (reSET and reSET-O) for opioid and other substance use disorders into primary care clinics. Over 18,000 adults who screened positive for substance use took part. Researchers tested whether health coaching…

This study looked at how often insomnia occurs in people hospitalized for psychiatric conditions. Researchers checked 427 patients at 11 hospitals in Switzerland and Germany. They also explored whether age, gender, or type of disorder made insomnia more likely.

This study looked at whether people with alcohol dependence or a history of early life stress have more trouble learning to feel calm after a scary event. Researchers used brain scans, mild electric shocks, and genetic tests to understand these differences. The goal was to learn …

This study looked at whether a questionnaire called the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) is a good tool for measuring depression-related behaviors in people with substance use disorders. Researchers analyzed answers from 289 adults receiving treatment for substan…

This study tested an 8-month program called 'Meaningful Activities and Recovery' (MA&R) for people with mental illness. The program helps people take part in activities that matter to them. 139 adults took part to see if the program improves activity engagement, recovery, and qua…

This study looked at whether a strong sense of 'presence' during virtual reality therapy could help people with alcohol dependence manage cravings and avoid relapse. Sixty abstinent patients who had recently completed withdrawal treatment took part. Researchers measured craving l…

This study tested a new way to help addiction treatment clinics use an AI platform that coaches counselors in evidence-based techniques. Researchers worked with 479 leaders and staff from state agencies and clinics in Oregon and Indiana. The goal was to see if this strategy impro…

This completed study worked with 65 African American/Black adults who use cocaine or other illicit substances to develop a manual called I-DREM. The goal was to gather their feedback on how to improve recruitment and retention in substance use disorder clinical trials. Participan…

This study looked at whether adults with ADHD are more likely to relapse into drinking after completing a detox program. Researchers followed 113 people for 12 weeks, using interviews and questionnaires to assess ADHD and other mental health conditions. The goal was to see if ADH…

This completed study looked at 224 adults who already had at least one psychiatric condition to see how many also had undiagnosed ADHD. Researchers measured how often ADHD was missed and tracked quality of life in those diagnosed. The goal is to highlight the need for better dete…

This study tested whether combining a policy change with professional training can reduce stigma toward substance use in mental health clinics. Twelve providers from two sites participated. The goal was to see if the combined approach improves how often substance use is addressed…