Can peer coaches help beat depression and addiction?

NCT ID NCT07219394

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

Summary

This study tests whether peer recovery specialists—people who have themselves recovered from mental health or substance use problems—can effectively deliver a therapy called behavioral activation to reduce depression and substance use. The trial will enroll 250 low-income adults with depression and substance use disorder, comparing the peer-delivered therapy to standard peer support. Participants will be followed for 12 months to see if their depression symptoms improve.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Peer Activate (behavioral activation therapy delivered by peer recovery specialists)

What this could lead to

If effective, this could provide a scalable, low-cost way to treat depression in people with substance use disorder, especially in underserved communities.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage effectiveness trial with no blinding, so results may be influenced by participant expectations. The intervention is behavioral, not a drug, so effects may be modest.

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.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

major depressive disorder substance-related disorder

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

  • Detroit Recovery Project

    RECRUITING

    Detroit, Michigan, 48208, United States

    Contact