SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

This study tested a new approach to help people with substance use disorders take their daily HIV prevention pill (PrEP) consistently. Participants used a digital pill that tracks when it's swallowed, along with a smartphone app that provides reminders and support. The goal was t…

This study tested a special program to help people with both bipolar disorder and substance use problems stick with their treatment after leaving the hospital. 178 adults took part, with half getting the new program and half getting extra safety checks, both added to their usual …

This study tested a new program called iSTRIVE for 42 people with HIV who also use opioids or stimulants and were not well engaged in HIV care. The program taught emotion regulation and communication skills to help them stay in care and lower their viral load. The goal was to see…

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 split into three groups: in-person coaching, video call coaching, or just a list of resources. Researchers track…

This study tested a program to help HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) who also struggle with substance use and feel stigmatized. The goal was to see if a special emotion-regulation program could help them stay engaged in HIV care. Fifty participants completed the progr…

This study tested a virtual reality (VR) program designed to help people in early recovery from opioid use disorder focus on their future and reduce drug use. 104 participants who had been abstinent for at least 14 days were split into a VR group and a control group. Researchers …

This study tested a special support program for veterans who have both bipolar disorder and substance use problems after they leave the hospital. 138 veterans took part, with half receiving the new program and half getting extra safety monitoring, both added to their usual care. …

This study tested a new clinic program to help people living with HIV. Over 10,000 patients used tablets to privately screen for substance use, depression, and anxiety during routine visits. Those who screened positive could then talk with an on-site specialist for counseling and…

This study looked at whether giving HIV prevention pills (PrEP) right away at a syringe exchange program helps people stay HIV-negative. About 90 adults who were already part of the program and tested negative for HIV took part. Researchers measured how much of the medicine was i…

This study tested whether a GPS-based mobile app, financial incentives, and peer mentors could help men who have sex with men and transgender women leaving jail get HIV prevention services like PrEP and testing. 233 participants were split into two groups: one got routine case ma…

This study tested an online therapy program called Breaking Free Online for people with substance use disorder. 198 adults from an addiction clinic were split into three groups: standard care with group support, the online program alone, or the online program plus one-on-one peer…

This study looked at whether a short sleep therapy program (BBTI) helps people with substance use disorders who live in a residential treatment center. 83 participants wore sleep trackers, completed surveys, and did sleep diaries. The goal was to see if improving sleep helps them…

This study tested a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program delivered via telehealth to help veterans who feel lonely and struggle with substance use. 36 veterans took part to see if the program was practical and helpful. The goal was to reduce loneliness and substance use, wi…

This study tested a smartphone-based breathing exercise called heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) for people with substance use disorder. 120 adults in early recovery used the app to practice slow, rhythmic breathing for 15 minutes daily. The goal was to see if this techni…

This study looked at whether adding a short writing therapy (Written Exposure Therapy) to a 28-day residential substance use program helps veterans who have both PTSD and substance use disorders. Fifty-six veterans took part. The goal was to see if the writing therapy was practic…

This study tested a phone-based counseling program for veterans with chronic pain who were at risk for substance misuse. Over 1,100 veterans took part, receiving brief counseling and referrals to pain treatment. The goal was to reduce pain and risky substance use. Results showed …

This study tested whether a life-skills training program could improve self-efficacy (confidence in handling situations) in men recovering from substance use disorders. 45 men aged 20-50 who had completed detox and were in rehab took part. The program focused on practical skills …

This study tested a short, 11-session therapy program for adults in residential rehab for drug or alcohol problems. The therapy combined techniques to improve emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and psychological flexibility. 36 participants were split into two groups: one re…

This study looked at whether people with chronic non-cancer pain who take opioids daily can slowly reduce their dose without worsening pain or quality of life. 140 participants were split into two groups: one started tapering right away, the other waited 4 months. Researchers tra…

This study checked if a questionnaire called the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) works well for people with substance use disorders. Researchers looked at data from 289 adults in treatment to see if the scale is reliable and accurate. The goal was to better unde…

This small study looked at whether an eight-week mindfulness and meditation program could help people with substance use disorders avoid relapse. Three adults completed the program, and while all reported feeling less stressed and more mindful, two experienced a relapse within a …

This study tested a program to help 219 incarcerated people with HIV, hepatitis C, or substance use disorder get health care after they leave prison. Participants worked with a nurse case manager before and after release to plan their care. The goal was to see if the program was …

This study looked at 75 emergency room patients who had a non-fatal opioid overdose. Researchers measured the amount of xylazine, a veterinary sedative, in their blood and tested urine drug strips to see how well they detect xylazine. The goal was to better understand and identif…

This study looked at 129 teens aged 12 to 18 with substance use disorders to find out which parts of treatment help them stay drug- and alcohol-free. Researchers checked urine samples and tracked problem behaviors over a year. The goal is to improve future treatments by focusing …

This study worked with 51 healthcare professionals at primary care clinics to find ways to reduce stigma toward people who use drugs, especially in HIV prevention and care. Researchers tested a program that combined staff education and policy changes to see if it could make provi…

This study tested a 6-session online parenting program called THRIVE for mothers with substance use disorder. The goal was to see if offering it in a pediatric clinic that already supports these families is practical and well-received. Nine mothers took part, and researchers meas…

This study looked at whether EMDR therapy, a treatment for trauma, can help people with substance use disorders who have also experienced trauma. 64 adults who were not actively using drugs but had past trauma received EMDR. Researchers measured relapse rates and brain changes to…

This study looked at the personal and social backgrounds of 106 people admitted for addiction treatment at Assiut University Hospital. Researchers collected information on age, gender, job status, and the types of substances used. The goal was to better understand who is affected…

This study asked 65 African American adults who use cocaine or other illicit drugs for their ideas on how to make clinical trials more welcoming. The goal was to create a manual (I-DREM) that researchers can use to improve recruitment and retention of Black individuals in substan…

This study tested whether adding a new clinic policy to a training program helps reduce stigma from mental health providers toward people with substance use disorders. Twelve providers from two clinics took part. The goal was to see if policy plus training works better than train…

This study looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of nursing home staff in Occitanie, France. Over 500 workers answered surveys about post-traumatic stress, depression, and burnout. The goal was to understand how common these problems were during the healt…

This study tested a telehealth program called CRAFT-EP that helps families support a relative with early psychosis and substance use (like alcohol or cannabis). 65 family members took part. The goal was to see if the program improves family wellbeing, including depression and anx…

This study tested whether training and coaching could help addiction treatment clinics better use medications for opioid use disorder and keep patients in care longer. Nearly 8,000 patients from clinics in New York took part. Researchers developed tools and protocols to guide qua…

This early-stage study tested a single dose of the experimental drug CS-1103 in 32 healthy adults to see if it is safe and how the body processes it. The goal is to eventually use CS-1103 to treat methamphetamine abuse or overdose. No treatment was given; researchers only monitor…

This study aimed to understand how genes might be linked to substance use disorders and related behaviors. Researchers collected genetic information and measured thinking skills, emotions, and decision-making in 847 adults, including healthy volunteers and people with substance u…