Effects of Subanesthetic Concentrations of Isoflurane/Nitrous Oxide - 3
Opioid-Related DisordersSubstance-Related DisordersThe purpose of this study is to conduct experiments to examine subjective and reinforcing effects of nitrous oxide. Mood altering and psychomotor effects will be tested on non-drug abusers and preference procedures will be used to assess reinforcing effects. To evaluate the acute and residual effects of subanesthetic concentrations of isoflurane/nitrous oxide combinations in healthy volunteers.
A Laboratory Model for Heroin Abuse Medications - 8
Heroin DependenceOpioid-Related Disorders1 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of treatment medications (methadone, buprenorphine, LAAM, naltrexone, naltrexone microcapsules, and methoclocinnamox) on I.V. and smoked heroin self-administration."
Treatment Efficacy for Drug Abuse and AIDS Prevention - 2
Cocaine-Related DisordersHeroin DependenceThe purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of buprenorphine for treatment of concurrent intravenous heroin and cocaine dependence.
Incentives to Decrease Opioid Use - Pilot
Substance-Related DisordersOpioid-Related Disorders1 moreThe purpose of this study is to address two key questions in the literature on incentives for substance use. The first question is whether it is more effective to directly incentivize the outcome of interest - drug abstinence - or to incentivize behaviors that are inputs into the production of abstinence. This study will compare two versions of the incentive program: one that incentivizes inputs to achieving abstinence and one that incentivizes the outcome of abstinence. The second question is how to optimize the size of incentives over time to maximize incentive effectiveness. This will be done by randomly varying the size and timing of incentives offered to participants in both the Inputs and Outcomes groups. The incentive amounts will then be varied across participants and time to fit a structural model of abstinence behaviors over time. The model will be used to describe the optimal shape of incentives over time.
AWARE Intervention: Feasibility and Efficacy Trial at Three University Health Services Centers
DepressionAnxiety5 moreThe goal of this study is to test the efficacy and the feasibility of the Asian Women's Action for Resilience and Empowerment (AWARE) intervention, in the real world setting -- student health service centers at Boston University, Wellesley College, and Harvard University. AWARE is an 8-week group intervention specifically designed to address mental health and sexual health issues among Asian-Pacific Islander (API) women. One AWARE group (final number of 8-10 API women who will be treated) will be held at BU Student Health Services, two groups at Wellesley College, and two groups at Harvard University Health Services for undergraduate and graduate students who meet the demographic and clinical criteria. During the intervention period, participants will attend the AWARE group counseling sessions, which are 90 minutes, once a week, for 8 weeks. Each week's session is focused on a specific theme related to the cultural and gender-specific issues typical among young Asian American women. The sessions are led by staff therapists at either institution. Participants will fill out forms that detail their therapeutic goals ("commitments") and any adverse emotional/behavioral events from the past week. Participants will also receive daily text messages that reinforce the group session themes. Participants will be assessed pre- and post-intervention on clinical outcomes, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality, using standardized quantitative instruments. This serves to evaluate the efficacy of AWARE at improving mental health outcomes. Participants will also participate in a post-intervention focus group session to evaluate the program's implementation and suggest ways for future improvement.
Using Non-invasive Brain Stimulation (tDCS) With Varenicline for Treating Tobacco Dependence
Tobacco DependenceSmoking Cessation5 moreThe addition of tDCS as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy is a novel approach but one that is grounded in a growing evidence-base.The primary objective of this research is to provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of tDCS as an adjunct treatment to pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. The investigators hypothesize that the addition of active tDCS to the left DLPFC will improve the effectiveness of varenicline as reflected by higher quit rates at end of treatment compared to the sham group. Smoking status will be biochemically confirmed at various time points using expired cotinine measures. Furthermore, the investigators will be collecting neuroimaging (fMRI) data as well as measures of attentional bias to explore the neurological and physiological correlates from using adjunct tDCS and varenicline therapy.
Mindful Self Compassion for Combat Deployed Veterans With Moral Injury and Co-occurring PTSD-SUD...
Substance Use DisorderPost-traumatic Stress Disorder1 moreVeterans with co-occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorder (PTSD-SUD) experience more severe symptomatology and poorer response to existing treatments than Veterans with either disorder alone. Guilt is a common posttraumatic reaction and has been implicated as a risk factor for the development and maintenance of PTSD and substance use. Combat Veterans often report experiencing moral injury defined as perpetrating, failing to prevent, or witnessing acts that violate the values they live by in their civilian lives, which can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. Accordingly, reduction in guilt and increase in self-compassion may lead to improved quality of life for Veterans. This project will conduct a pilot study to evaluate changes in self-compassion, guilt, and PTSD-SUD symptom severity in a sample of Veterans after receiving 8 sessions of Mindful Self Compassion treatment (via a telehealth modality during COVID-19 pandemic). Findings will have significant impact on effective treatment options and lead to improvements in Veterans' quality of life and posttraumatic symptoms.
Innovative Digital Therapeutic for Smoking Cessation
Smoking CessationNicotine Addiction6 moreThis study is comparing the efficacy of two smoking cessation apps.
Behavioral Activation for Heroin Use in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Substance-Related DisordersMood Disorders2 moreThis was a single-site two-arm parallel-group trial conducted in a Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) Clinic that provides medication service for 254 heroin users in Wuhan, China. Once consented and completed the pre-treatment assessment, participants were randomized to receive either the Chinese translated behavioral activation treatment for substance use (C-BA) or treatment as usual (TAU). Research assessments occurred at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 1- and 3-months follow-ups. The primary purpose of this study is to: 1. Evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the Chinese-translated behavioral activation treatment for substance use (C-BA), an evidence based intervention developed to address the individual and psychological needs of Chinese substance users. The secondary purpose of this study is to: Examine the underlying mechanism of C-BA by studying the relationship between change in substance use related outcomes and associated psychological constructs (e.g. levels of behavioral activation and depression).
Peer-Delivered Behavioral Activation for Methadone Adherence - Pilot Phase
Substance UseSubstance Use Disorders6 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a peer-led, brief, behavioral intervention to improve adherence to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) among low-income, minoritized individuals living with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Baltimore, Maryland. The intervention is based on behavioral activation (BA) and is specifically designed to be implemented by a trained peer recovery specialist. In this pilot trial, the investigators will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity of this approach (implementation outcomes) and preliminary effectiveness on methadone treatment retention at three months.