Substance abuse

This study tested two different approaches to help people recently released from jail or prison get connected to care for HIV, hepatitis C, STIs, and opioid use disorder. Over 600 adults took part. The goal was to see which method worked better for starting and staying on treatme…

This study tested a program that combines community-based fetal ultrasound with care navigation to help pregnant women with substance use disorder engage in prenatal care and substance use treatment. The program used motivational interviewing and strength-based education to suppo…

This trial tests whether tailored SMS text messages can improve treatment attendance among justice-involved youth aged 13-18 who are referred to community-based substance use or dual diagnosis treatment. Participants receive either appointment reminders plus motivational messages…

This trial tests a web-based program called ePACE, which gives teens with mild to moderate substance use and mental health issues personalized choices about content and engagement. It compares ePACE to a fixed, non-tailored program (eFACE) and to a waitlist group. Researchers wil…

This completed study tested a program called RISE (Resiliency in Stressful Experiences) for young men ages 18-35 leaving state prisons in Florida. The program combines trauma counseling with practical help like housing and job support. Researchers measured whether participants ha…

This study tests a single 75-minute counseling session called CAMI, which is a motivational interview adapted for Latino/a immigrants who drink heavily. Researchers will train community health workers to deliver CAMI at a primary care clinic and follow 220 participants for 12 mon…

This study tests whether a smartphone app can help people with opioid use disorder stay drug-free. Participants use the app to submit video-recorded saliva drug tests, earn rewards for staying abstinent, complete therapy modules, and get support from a peer. The study involves 25…

This trial tests whether a 'learning health system'—a structured partnership between juvenile justice agencies and community mental health centers—can improve the full continuum of substance use care for youth involved in the justice system. The approach uses local data to identi…

This study tested whether giving caregivers prize draws for attending court hearings, treatment sessions, and probation meetings could reduce substance use and delinquency in teens already in juvenile drug court. Fifty-three teens aged 13-17 and their caregivers took part. The go…

This study tests whether a mobile phone app that tracks drug use and gives feedback can help people reduce risky drug use over 12 months. About 458 adults from community health centers in Southern California are taking part. They are split into three groups: one gets the mobile a…

This study tested a special digital pill and smartphone app to help HIV-negative men who have sex with men and who also have substance use disorder take their daily HIV prevention medication (PrEP) consistently. Forty participants took a PrEP pill with a sensor that recorded when…

This study tested whether a mobile health unit that offers HIV prevention, treatment, and medication for opioid use disorder all in one place helps people who inject drugs stay on treatment. About 447 adults with opioid use disorder took part. The goal was to see if this approach…

This study tested whether a once-monthly injection of buprenorphine works as well as daily pills to treat opioid use disorder in 140 pregnant women. The goal was to see if the monthly shot could reduce illicit opioid use during pregnancy and after birth. Results help doctors choo…

This study tested two versions of a remote therapy program for teens (ages 14-24) who came to the emergency room for a violent injury. One version was standard, the other used artificial intelligence to adapt the therapy in real time. The goal was to see if the AI version could b…

This study tested a culturally adapted relapse prevention program (RPM-08) for people with substance use disorder in Pakistan. 70 male participants in residential rehab either received the program plus usual care or usual care alone. The program consisted of eight weekly group se…

This study tested whether people with opioid use disorder and severe injection-related infections can be safely treated at home with antibiotics and buprenorphine (a medication for opioid use disorder). 71 participants were enrolled. The goal was to see if this integrated approac…

This study looked at whether providing mental health care to people who inject drugs can improve their mental health and reduce their risk of getting HIV or hepatitis C. Over 500 participants in Haiphong, Vietnam, received free psychiatric consultations, medications, and support …

This completed trial tested a workplace program designed to teach young employees (ages 16-24) skills like goal-setting, stress management, and communication. Over 1,100 workers from participating stores took part. The goal was to see if the program could improve job satisfaction…

This study tested different combinations of three programs—New Hope (coping skills), Elders Resilience (cultural strength), and Case Management—to see which best reduces suicidal thoughts and builds resilience in American Indian youth ages 10-29. The 304 participants were identif…

This study tested a 4-session program called PARTNER for young men who have sex with men (ages 18-29) and are in a relationship. The program uses motivational interviewing and video exercises to improve communication about drug use, PrEP (HIV prevention pills), and safer sex. 196…

This study looked at whether juvenile probation officers can deliver a behavioral program called Contingency Management to teens on their caseload who have drug problems. The program uses rewards and counseling to encourage teens to stop using drugs. Researchers measured drug use…

This completed study tested a mindfulness-based program (MBS) against standard care in 130 adults recovering from polydrug addiction. The goal was to see if MBS could reduce cravings and relapse risk. Researchers also looked at improvements in emotional control, mood, and motivat…

This study tested a 12-session telehealth counseling program for young people aged 18-29 living with HIV. The program used text messaging and video calls to help them stay engaged in care, manage mental health, and reduce substance use. Fifty participants were enrolled to see if …

Researchers at the University of Washington are adapting a brief narrative therapy session for use in a low-barrier primary care clinic that serves people experiencing homelessness in North Seattle. The study enrolls 64 adults who have had at least one therapy appointment at the …

This study tested whether a new personalized feedback program helps young adults ages 18-25 reduce risky alcohol and drug use. Researchers enrolled 660 participants across the U.S. and measured changes in drinking, drug problems, and readiness to change. The goal is to prevent su…

This study tests whether a single counseling session aimed at reducing stigma can help Black men who have sex with men and use substances stay on PrEP, a daily pill that prevents HIV. Participants receive the counseling and are monitored for PrEP adherence through biological test…

This trial tests a program designed for Latino fathers to help them reduce risky sexual behaviors, substance abuse, and domestic violence, and improve communication with their sons. The program combines two behavioral interventions: one that teaches fathers about HIV prevention a…

This study tested a program for high school students to prevent misuse of prescription drugs like painkillers and sedatives. Over 1,800 teens participated in either the program or standard classes. The program used online lessons and group activities to change attitudes and build…

This study tested an online parenting program called Family Check-Up Online for rural families where a parent may misuse opioids. 356 parents of young children (18 months to 5 years) took part. The program aimed to improve parenting skills, reduce stress and depression, and preve…

This study tested whether a program designed specifically for women who use drugs could help them reduce their risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. 501 women were randomly assigned to receive either standard counseling, standard counseling plus a well-woman exam, …

This study tested a program called Trust-based Relational Intervention (TBRI) to prevent opioid and other drug use in 250 teens aged 15-18 who were leaving juvenile justice facilities. Each teen worked with a trusted adult to build supportive relationships. The goal was to see if…

This study tested whether teaching financial skills and providing economic support could reduce alcohol and drug use among teens and young adults living with HIV in poor areas of Uganda. Researchers enrolled 95 participants aged 15-24 who were already in HIV care and had used alc…

This study tested two strategies to prevent HIV among young couples (ages 18-30) in Cape Town who use alcohol or drugs. One strategy was a community workshop to reduce stigma around HIV and drug use. The other was a couples program that provided HIV testing and counseling to help…

This pilot study tested whether involving young people in designing and running substance misuse prevention programs makes those programs more effective. Four community organizations in North Carolina took part; some used the youth engagement approach while others did not. Resear…

This study tested whether giving homeless young people (ages 18-24) a place to live plus support services could help them avoid developing opioid use disorder. 240 participants who were homeless but did not yet have opioid addiction were randomly assigned to receive either housin…

This study tests whether adding trauma-informed coping strategies and peer coaching to a standard mobile brief intervention helps young adults (ages 18-25) who drink heavily and have experienced interpersonal trauma reduce their alcohol use. 225 college students will be randomly …

This pilot study tests whether a single session of narrative therapy, a type of talk therapy, can help reduce depression and anxiety in people living with HIV. Researchers will enroll 64 adults from a primary care HIV clinic to see if the therapy is acceptable, feasible, and bene…

This study looked at whether a special sports program, designed with an understanding of trauma, could help teens aged 14-18 with substance use disorder. 120 teens took part, with half joining an 8-week program of sports and group talks, while the other half received no extra act…

This study tested a 6-session therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for cancer patients at risk of opioid misuse. 40 adults with cancer and a high score on an opioid risk tool participated. The goal was to see if the therapy was feasible and acceptable, not yet t…

This study looked at whether a 4-week circuit training program could improve heart and lung fitness in men recovering from drug addiction. Sixty men were split into two groups: one did circuit training (like push-ups, stair climbing, and high knees) three times a week, and the ot…

This study tested two remotely delivered programs—mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy—against standard remote monitoring alone for reducing depression and substance use related to COVID-19 stress. 113 adults from a health system par…

This pilot study tested a web-based mind-body program (Web-TIRELESS) in 5 adults with painful upper-limb conditions and risky substance use. Participants completed 4 video sessions at their own pace. The goal was to see if the program was feasible, acceptable, and helpful for bui…

This study aims to create and improve cognitive tasks used during functional MRI scans to better understand how drugs affect the brain. It involves 525 healthy volunteers, including both drug users and non-users, aged 18 to 65. Participants perform tasks like memory tests or reac…

This study tested whether portable devices like PDAs and GPS units can give a more accurate picture of stress and drug use as it happens. About 373 adults in treatment for heroin addiction carried these devices for 16 weeks, recording drug use and stress levels. The goal was to s…

This pilot study is testing a program called Tiwahe Tewichaglapi, which adapts the Family Acceptance Project for Lakota 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their caregivers. The goal is to see if the program is acceptable, safe, and feasible, and to check if it helps reduce depression, anxiety, a…

This study tested two methods to encourage COVID-19 testing among people who use opioids: having friends refer others (chain referral) and using trusted community members (credible messengers). About 500 people took part. The goal was to see which method got more people tested an…

This study looked at how much injectable drug is prepared but not used in operating rooms across France. Over 3,700 patients were included. The goal was to measure waste and find ways to reduce it, helping the environment and improving healthcare practices.

This study looked at how much intravenous (IV) medication is wasted in intensive care units (ICUs) across France. Researchers measured the amount of prepared but unused drugs thrown away, which can harm the environment. Over 1,000 patients took part, and the goal was to find ways…

This study looked back at the records of 652 patients who were seen in the emergency department of a French hospital and then referred to a special addiction liaison team. The goal was to understand the social and medical backgrounds of these patients. The findings could help hos…

This study looked at brain activity in pregnant women with opioid use disorder who were taking medication therapy. Researchers compared their brain scans to those of healthy pregnant women to see if there were differences. The goal was to learn more about how the body processes t…

This study tested whether an anti-stigma training program for healthcare providers improves attitudes toward people with mental illness or substance use problems. About 485 staff and clients from six health centers took part, with three centers receiving the training and three no…

This study tested a digital toolkit designed to help leaders in child welfare and substance use treatment agencies choose partners and build effective collaborations. Nine implementation support professionals in Ohio used the guide and rated how acceptable, appropriate, and feasi…

This completed Phase 1 study at UCLA looked at how smoking cannabis with different amounts of THC and CBD affects drug levels in oral fluid and blood, as well as thinking and feeling. Nineteen adults who use cannabis occasionally took part. The goal was to better understand how t…

This study looked at pregnant women being treated for opioid use disorder with two different forms of buprenorphine: a monthly shot and a daily tablet. Researchers measured drug levels in the mother's blood and checked the baby's heart rate to see how each treatment affected both…

This study looked at 71 babies born to mothers who took either a monthly injection or a daily tablet of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Researchers measured the babies' thinking, language, and motor skills using a standard child development test. The goal …

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 tested whether sending e-mails to doctors could encourage them to use a state-run prescription monitoring program and reduce unsafe opioid prescribing. About 7,800 Minnesota physicians and physician assistants who were not using the program as required took part. The r…

This study tested a Spanish-language electronic screening tool called TAPS-ESP to identify tobacco, alcohol, prescription drug, and illicit substance use in primary care. About 1,000 Spanish-speaking adults from a clinic participated. The goal was to see if the tool accurately de…

This study tested a program where trained peer providers help young people with early psychosis reduce or stop using alcohol and drugs. 113 participants from coordinated specialty care teams took part. The goal was to see if the program could be delivered as planned and whether i…

This study tested a new painkiller called cebranopadol, given as a nasal spray, to see how much recreational opioid users liked it compared to oxycodone and a placebo. 48 healthy volunteers who had used opioids for fun in the past took part. The goal was to measure the drug's abu…

This study looked at over 36,000 adults in the UK to see if people with vitiligo are more likely to have mental health problems like depression, anxiety, or self-harm compared to those without vitiligo. Researchers used medical records to compare risks and also checked if these r…

This study developed a computer program that can scan hospital records to find patients who may be misusing drugs or alcohol. Researchers tested it on nearly 65,000 adults admitted to the hospital. The goal was to see if the tool could help doctors offer counseling and support to…

This study tested a program called Asdzáán Be'eená (Female Pathways) for Navajo girls ages 10-14 and their female caregivers. The goal was to see if the program improves communication, monitoring, and teens' plans to delay sex and avoid substance use. About 408 pairs took part, a…

This study tested an educational program designed to improve teenagers' knowledge and behavior around substance abuse. The program used a model called the Behavior Change Wheel to guide learning. Researchers worked with 226 adolescents aged 10 to 18 who had not received similar e…

This study tested whether pop-up alerts in electronic medical records help doctors check a state database before prescribing opioids or sedatives. Over 3,600 providers were randomly assigned to different alert designs. The goal was to see if the alerts increase use of the Prescri…