Phone program aims to ease veterans' pain and cut substance misuse

NCT ID NCT04062214

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Yale University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tested a phone-based counseling program called SBIRT-PM for veterans with chronic pain who were also at risk for substance misuse. Over 1,100 veterans participated, receiving up to four phone calls over 12 weeks to help them engage in non-drug pain treatments and reduce harmful substance use. The goal was to see if this approach could lower pain levels and decrease the number of problem substances.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: SBIRT-PM (phone-based counseling program)
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could offer a practical way to help veterans reduce pain and risky substance use without relying on medications.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, but results may not apply to all veterans or settings. The intervention is behavioral, so its effects depend on individual engagement and may be modest.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic pain syndrome Pain substance-related disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PAIN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Hospital (VA Bedford)

Bedford, Massachusetts, 01730, United States
Manchester VA Medical Center

Manchester, New Hampshire, 03104, United States
Providence VA Medical Center

Providence, Rhode Island, 02908, United States
VA Boston Healthcare System

Boston, Massachusetts, 02301, United States
VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System

Leeds, Massachusetts, 02053, United States
VA Connecticut Healthcare System (VACHS)

West Haven, Connecticut, 06516, United States
VA Maine Healthcare System

Augusta, Maine, 04330, United States
White River Junction VA Hospital

White River Junction, Vermont, 05001, United States
Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States

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