How impulsivity differs in heroin versus amphetamine users

Varieties of Impulsivity in Opiate and Stimulant Users

['FUNDING_R01'] · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · NIH-11098558

This project compares patterns of impulsive behavior in people who used heroin or amphetamines to help identify risk profiles linked to addiction.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorVIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (RICHMOND, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11098558 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

I would be joining a long-running program that looks at different kinds of impulsivity among people with histories of heroin or amphetamine use. Researchers tested over 800 participants, including many who used mostly one drug and many who have been abstinent for a long time, using questionnaires, cognitive tasks, and genetic testing. They also enrolled siblings where one person had an addiction and the other did not, and they use computer modeling and machine learning to find distinct patterns. The work aims to link specific impulsivity profiles to different addiction types and recovery outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with a history of heroin (opioid) or amphetamine use, including people in extended abstinence or those with mostly single-drug dependence, are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without opioid or stimulant use histories or those with complex polysubstance dependence or unrelated primary psychiatric conditions may not receive direct benefit from this project's findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help tailor prevention and treatment by identifying impulsivity patterns linked to opioid versus stimulant addiction.

How similar studies have performed: This project builds on a parent study of over 800 participants that already revealed promising distinct impulsivity profiles for opiate and stimulant addictions.

Where this research is happening

RICHMOND, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.