SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

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 a digital pill system that tracks when people take their daily HIV prevention medication (PrEP). The goal was to see if real-time reminders and monitoring could help people with substance use disorders take their PrEP more consistently. Thirty participants used …

This study tested a program called iSTRIVE for 42 adults with HIV who also use opioids or stimulants and were not well engaged in HIV care. The program combined emotion regulation and communication skills training with video check-ins and small rewards to encourage daily HIV medi…

This study tested a special support program for veterans with both bipolar disorder and substance use problems after they left the hospital. Half of the 138 participants received the new program, while the other half got extra safety monitoring. The goal was to see if the program…

This study tested a program to help HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) who also struggle with substance use. The goal was to reduce feelings of shame and stigma that can keep them from getting regular HIV care. Fifty men took part to see if the program was helpful and e…

This early-phase study tested whether adding a medication called Auvelity (a combination of dextromethorphan and bupropion) to standard buprenorphine treatment is safe and might help reduce cravings, withdrawal, and negative feelings in people with opioid use disorder. 18 adults …

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

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 but less than a year were split into a VR group and a contro…

This study tested whether a GPS-based mobile app, financial incentives, and peer mentor support 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 received sta…

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

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. 56 veterans took part, with some getting the writing therapy plus usual care and oth…

This study tested a type of talking therapy called Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) in 124 low-income urban teens aged 16-25 who had PTSD from violence and were at risk for substance use. The goal was to see if the therapy could reduce PTSD symptoms and substance-related problems…

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 tested a short, 11-session therapy program for adults in residential treatment for drug or alcohol problems. The therapy combined techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people handle difficult emotions and reduce crav…

This study looked at whether a short sleep therapy program (BBTI) can improve sleep and help people stay in treatment for substance use disorders. About 83 adults living in a residential recovery program took part. They wore sleep trackers, completed surveys, and did sleep diarie…

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 looked at whether slowly reducing prescribed opioids in people with long-term non-cancer pain can help manage pain and improve quality of life. 140 participants were split into two groups: one started tapering right away, the other waited 4 months. The goal was to see …

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. The program aimed to reduce pain and risky substance use by helping them get better pain treatment.

This study tested a life-skills training program for 45 men aged 20 to 50 recovering from substance use disorders. The goal was to see if the program could improve their self-efficacy, or confidence in handling daily challenges. Participants completed a structured program after d…

This study looked at whether an online cognitive behavioral therapy program, called Breaking Free Online, helps people reduce their substance use. 198 adults with substance use disorder were split into three groups: standard care with group peer support, the online program alone,…

This study looked at whether EMDR therapy, a treatment often used for trauma, can help people with substance use disorders who also have traumatic experiences. Researchers measured relapse rates and brain changes in 64 adults. The goal was to understand how EMDR might work for ad…

This study worked with 51 healthcare professionals at primary care clinics to see if education and policy changes could reduce stigma toward people who use drugs. The goal was to make patients feel more welcome and improve HIV prevention and care. Researchers measured changes in …

This early-stage study tested a new drug called CS-1103 in 32 healthy adults to see if it is safe and how the body processes it. Participants received a single dose by IV and were monitored for side effects. This study does not treat any disease but gathers important safety infor…

This small study looked at whether an 8-week mindfulness and meditation program could help people with substance use disorders avoid relapse. Three adults completed the program, and researchers tracked their stress, mindfulness, and sobriety. Results were mixed: one person stayed…

This study tested a program to reduce stigma around substance use in mental health clinics. Researchers compared clinics that added a new policy to standard staff training against clinics that only offered training. The goal was to see if the combined approach improved how often …

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 answers from 289 adults to see if the scale is reliable and accurate. The goal was to understand how to bet…

This study looked at 75 emergency room patients who had a non-fatal opioid overdose. Researchers measured the amount of xylazine, a veterinary sedative sometimes mixed with opioids, in their blood and tested urine strips for detection. The goal was to better understand how common…

This study looked at how genes influence thinking, emotions, and addictive behaviors in 847 adults, including healthy non-users, smokers, and people with substance use disorders. Participants gave a blood sample, filled out questionnaires, and did computer tasks. The goal was to …

This study looked at whether a short, video-based parenting program called THRIVE could work for mothers with substance use disorder who are getting care at a special clinic. Nine mothers took part to see if the program was easy to use and helpful. The goal was to gather informat…

This study looked at 129 teens aged 12 to 18 with substance use disorders to find out what parts of treatment help them the most. The goal was to identify key factors that lead to lasting improvement, so future treatments can focus on what really works. Participants were followed…

This study tested whether coaching and electronic tools could help addiction treatment clinics improve care for people with opioid use disorder. Nearly 8,000 patients from clinics in New York took part. The goal was to increase use of addiction medications, keep patients in treat…

This study tested a tablet-based screening tool for substance use, depression, and anxiety in over 10,000 HIV-positive adults during routine clinic visits. The goal was to see if this approach helps more people get the mental health and addiction treatment they need. Results show…

This study tested a program to help people leaving prison get connected to medical care for HIV, hepatitis C, or substance use. 219 people took part, receiving support from a nurse before and after release. The goal was to see if the program was practical and well-liked, not to d…

This study looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the mental health of 501 nursing home workers in Occitanie, France. Researchers measured rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and burnout using standard questionnaires. The goal was to understand how common t…

This study tested whether peer recovery coaches—people with lived experience—can help emergency department patients with substance use disorders connect to treatment and support. 144 adults were randomly assigned to receive in-person coaching, video-based coaching, or just a list…

This study looked at 106 people being treated for substance use disorders at Assiut University Hospital. Researchers collected information on their personal background, drug use patterns, and mental health to better understand who is affected. The goal is to help doctors and poli…

This study tested a program called CRAFT-EP, which helps families support a relative with early psychosis and substance use (like alcohol or cannabis). The program was delivered entirely through video calls. Researchers measured family members' depression and anxiety to see if th…

This study asked 65 African American adults who use cocaine or other drugs for their ideas on how to make clinical trials more welcoming and easier to join. The goal was to create a guide called I-DREM that researchers can use to recruit and keep more Black participants in substa…