Helping SUD patients switch to less-harmful nicotine options during treatment
Official title: Evaluating a tobacco harm reduction strategy among clients enrolled in substance use disorder treatment
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11332840 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at adults in substance use disorder treatment, the study explores whether guiding smokers to switch to non-combustible nicotine products can reduce health risks while people are in treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $609,275 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059969-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332840 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in substance use disorder treatment who currently smoke cigarettes.
✕Less likely to help
People not enrolled in SUD treatment or who do not smoke may not be directly benefited.
What this research studies
If you are in substance use disorder treatment and smoke, this project tests a low-intensity approach to help you switch from cigarettes to less-harmful nicotine products. The researchers will work in real treatment settings to see if this harm-reduction strategy can be practical for busy programs without requiring expensive resources. The study looks at how well the approach is accepted by clients and treatment staff, and whether it reduces smoking-related health risks while supporting ongoing care for SUD. It does not require quitting smoking immediately, but focuses on safer alternatives to combustible tobacco as a step during treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce tobacco-related harm for people in SUD treatment and be easier to implement in busy clinics.
How similar studies have gone: Previous tobacco harm-reduction efforts in general health settings show promise, but implementation in SUD programs remains challenging and is being tested here.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcclure, Erin a — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Mcclure, Erin a
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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.