Helping people in methadone treatment quit smoking and other drugs

Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Tobacco Dependence and Other Drug use in Methadone Treatment

NIH-funded research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10589481

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10589481 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals receiving methadone treatment for opioid use disorder who also smoke cigarettes or use other substances.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

Newark, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.