Motivational Interviewing Integrated With Social Network Counseling for Teens
Substance UseThe purpose of this research is to test the feasibility and efficacy of a brief (one session) preventative intervention using motivational interviewing integrated with social network counseling for substance use among adolescent patients in a primary care setting. One hundred participants will be randomly assigned to either motivational interviewing integrated with social network counseling or attention control conditions. The motivational interviewing integrated with social network counseling condition is expected to show improvement when compared to the attention control condition.
Behavioral Treatment of Adolescent Substance Use
Substance Use DisordersThis study will continue research designed to improve treatment outcomes for adolescent substance use disorders by integrating neuroscience- and behaviorally-based treatments. In particular, this project will be the first to evaluate whether Working Memory Training can enhance cognitive function and reduce impulsive decision making to improve abstinence outcomes. In addition, an adaptive abstinence-based incentive program will be evaluated as a new method for intervening with those who do not respond to their first-line treatment.
Oxytocin Suppresses Substance Use Disorders Associated With Chronic Stress
Alcohol Use DisordersIn comparison to the general population, military personnel and veterans are at increased risk of developing both substance use disorders (SUDs) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite promising developments in the past decade, the treatment of patients with SUDs and comorbid PTSD is woefully inadequate (Back, 2010; Back et al., 2014; Brady et al., 2007; McCauley et al., 2012). One of the adverse effects of abused drugs is their long-term negative impact on social behavior that is thought to involve oxytocin (OT) dysregulation (McGregor et al., 2008). In preclinical and clinical experiments, local, intra-nasal, or systemic OT administration decreases activation of the amygdala in response to visual fearful/threatening stimuli (Kirsch et al., 2005), ameliorates the effects of stressful events, and decreases drug-taking and seeking behavior (McGregor et al., 2008; Baskerville and Douglas, 2010; Carson et al., 2010a; Bowen et al., 2011; Cox et al 2013). However, little attention has been focused on whether OT decreases SUD vulnerability after exposure to traumatic stress in preclinical or clinical studies. This clinical project will determine whether intra-nasally administered OT will decrease craving (Aim 1) to use alcohol and decrease stress reactivity (Aim 2) following exposure to laboratory-induced stress (Trier Social Stress Task) among veterans with a dual diagnosis of alcohol use disorder and PTSD.
Memory Reconsolidation Blockade for Treating Drug Addiction
Substance DependenceThe treatment involves administering propranolol, a medication indicated for treating high blood pressure. Propranolol is hypothesized to reduce the strength of drug or alcohol cravings (an integral factor involved in relapse), specifically when memories of substance use are recalled. In this study, propranolol or a placebo will be administered to patients participating in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility once a week over three or six weeks. After receiving propranolol or placebo, strong memories associated with substance craving are recalled by asking participants to read aloud a summary of a substance use experience. The investigators hypothesize that participants who receive propranolol will report fewer and less intense drug or alcohol cravings than participants who receive the placebo or treatment-as-usual.
Performance-based Reinforcement to Enhance Cognitive Remediation Therapy
Substance-Related DisordersMental DisordersThe purpose of this study is to investigate whether monetary reinforcement for performance will enhance the effects of cognitive remediation therapy for substance users seeking treatment at an outpatient facility.
Individual vs. Group Community Reinforcement Training to Help Parents of Substance-using Treatment-refusing...
Substance Use DisordersTreatment RefusalThe purpose of this study is to test the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of Community Reinforcement Training (CRT) provided in a group therapy format. The goals of CRT are to teach parents behavioral and communication skills to influence their youth's drug use and encourage them to enter treatment. Thirty parents will be randomly assigned to Group CRT and 30 will be randomly assigned to traditional, Individual CRT. Youth engaged in treatment will receive individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Families are assessed for adolescent substance use and other areas of individual and family functioning. It is expected that Group CRT will be more effective for encouraging youth entry into treatment and improving parental functioning.
Psychopharmacotherapy in Multiple Substances Abuse
Substance AbuseAdd-on of memantine or placebo treatment will proceed in a double-blinded fashion for 12 weeks after adjusted methadone dose. During the study, the investigators will evaluate treatment response and adverse effect from multiple dimensions to elucidate the therapeutic effect of add-on memantine on addictive behaviors. It will also explore the possible advantage of this treatment on social re-adaptation and psychopathogenesis of opioid dependence.
Monitoring and Feedback in Substance Abuse Treatment
Substance AbuseThis is a three-staged study to develop and evaluate a monitoring instrument and associated intervention, as follows: Stage 1 - Develop and determine the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of a brief Multidimensional Monitoring Instrument (MMI) for clients in outpatient substance abuse treatment (SAT). Stage 2 - Develop a Monitoring and Feedback Intervention (MFI) that uses the MMI. As part of this process, create a manual, training materials, and competence and adherence measures, and conduct a feasibility study within an outpatient SAT unit to refine the intervention and associated materials and measures. Stage 3 - Conduct a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to determine the preliminary efficacy of the MFI compared to treatment as usual (TAU) for clients in outpatient SAT. In this pilot study, it is hypothesized that the MFI will positively impact the treatment process, and short-term, during treatment, outcomes.
Evaluation of Web-Based Recovery Monitoring With Clinical Alerts
Substance AbuseThe specific aims of the project are to conduct a three-phase study to develop a data-driven Clinical Alert feature to the RecoveryTrack™ Concurrent Recovery Monitoring (CRM) system and test its efficacy, as follows: Phase I - Analyze RecoveryTrack and outcomes data to create a clinical algorithm that predicts early treatment attrition; adapt elements of a cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) for use in addressing Clinical Alerts, as well as adapting training and adherence measures; reprogram RecoveryTrack with a Clinical Alert feature for each of the first three monitoring assessments to inform counselors when a client is at High Risk to leave treatment. Phase II -Conduct a feasibility trial to refine Clinical Alerts + CBI intervention and the study measures/procedures. Phase III - Conduct a pilot randomized clinical trial comparing outcomes of clients whose counselors were randomized to Clinical Alerts + CBI to those of clients whose counselors were assigned to TAU (control condition). The primary hypothesis is that clients who evidence a High Risk for attrition will have longer lengths of stay in the Clinical Alerts + CBI condition than High Risk clients in the control condition. Secondary client hypotheses are that High Risk clients in the Clinical Alert + CBI condition will attend more treatment sessions, have more drug-free urine results, and receive more ancillary services than High Risk clients in the control condition.
Comparing Acute and Continuous Drug Abuse Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Drug AddictionThe purpose of this 2 year study is to conduct a fully powered effectiveness trial comparing recovery trajectories of 200 drug dependent adults (the subjects) who will be randomly assigned to Treatment as Usual (TAU) or TAU + Long-Term Recovery Management (LTRM).