Exploring how unrealistic optimism affects opioid use and relapse
Official title: Computational psychiatry investigation of the role of unrealistic optimism in opioid use disorder and relapse
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11005768 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overly optimistic might affect people with opioid use disorder and their chances of relapsing, so we can better understand their decision-making and help create more effective treatment plans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2021 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $537,137 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA053282-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005768 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are currently engaged in treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of unrealistic optimism in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) and how it may contribute to relapse. By utilizing advanced neurocognitive tools and a longitudinal design, the study aims to understand the decision-making processes that lead to opioid reuse. Patients will undergo assessments that measure their tolerance for uncertainty and optimism bias while participating in tasks that simulate real-life decision-making scenarios. The findings could help identify patients at higher risk for relapse and inform more effective treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions that reduce the risk of relapse in individuals with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding decision-making processes in addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Konova, Anna Borisova — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Konova, Anna Borisova
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.