Can a Three-Session virtual therapy curb heavy drinking during opioid treatment?

NCT ID NCT06718491

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This trial tests a short virtual therapy called IMPROVE, designed to help people on medication for opioid use disorder who also drink heavily. Participants attend three one-hour online sessions and use a mobile app to learn skills for managing emotional distress that can trigger alcohol use. The study compares IMPROVE to a health education control to see if it reduces heavy drinking days and improves medication adherence.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Managing Physical Reactions to Overwhelming Emotions (IMPROVE) – a brief virtual therapy with a mobile app

What this could lead to

If effective, this brief digital therapy could help people on opioid treatment reduce heavy drinking and stick with their medication, improving overall recovery.

What could go wrong

This is a small early-stage trial with only 80 participants, so results may not apply widely. The therapy is short (three sessions) and may not be enough for everyone.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for OPIOID USE DISORDER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

opiate dependence

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Ohio State University

    RECRUITING

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••