Helping people in methadone treatment quit smoking and other drugs
Official title: Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Tobacco Dependence and Other Drug use in Methadone Treatment
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10589481 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for people in methadone treatment for opioid use who also smoke, to try out a new 8-week group program that teaches mindfulness and emotional skills to help them feel better and reduce their chances of relapsing into substance use.
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 | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $2,300,742 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA057631-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10589481 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals receiving methadone treatment for opioid use disorder who also smoke cigarettes or use other substances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently undergoing methadone treatment or do not have a dual diagnosis of opioid and tobacco use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on individuals undergoing methadone treatment for opioid use disorder, particularly those who also smoke tobacco. It aims to implement a novel behavioral intervention called Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), which combines mindfulness training and emotional regulation techniques over an 8-week group therapy program. The goal is to address the intertwined issues of tobacco and substance use by improving motivation and self-efficacy, ultimately reducing relapse rates. Participants will engage in activities designed to enhance their emotional well-being and reward processing, which are often disrupted in those with substance use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment strategies for individuals struggling with both opioid and tobacco dependence, improving their chances of recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise for mindfulness-based interventions in substance use treatment, but this specific approach targeting polysubstance use in methadone patients is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cooperman, Nina — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Cooperman, Nina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness-Only Recovery for Tobacco and Other Drug Use in Methadone Treatment
A new program combines motivational interviewing and mindfulness-based therapy to help people on methadone treatment quit tobacco and other drugs at the same time.
-
Mindfulness and motivational coaching to help people on methadone quit smoking and reduce other drug use
This program offers group mindfulness training plus motivational coaching for people on methadone to help them stop smoking and cut down other drug use.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic pain.
-
Mindfulness-based Support for Pain and Sleep in Young People with Sickle Cell Disease
A digital mindfulness program is being tailored for adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease to help with pain and sleep and is being tested for practicality and early effectiveness.
-
Mindfulness training to lower cardiovascular risk for moms and babies during pregnancy
A mindfulness program is being tested during pregnancy to help prevent high blood pressure and heart problems for mothers and their babies.
-
Couples-based motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and HIV risk in vulnerable male couples
A couples-focused program helps at-risk male couples reduce drug use and HIV risk together.
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.