How non-drug rewards change opioid and stimulant use
Official title: Opioid and Psychostimulant Taking: Testing the Impact of Behavioral Economic Contexts
Funded at American University · NIH-11143145 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how the availability and value of non-drug rewards influence opioid and stimulant use, aiming to help people with opioid or cocaine addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | American University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $320,171 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055572-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143145 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with opioid use disorder or stimulant (cocaine) use disorder who are interested in behavioral approaches to reduce drug use would be the most relevant future candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without opioid or stimulant use problems, or those whose treatment needs are primarily medical (for example, requiring medication-assisted detox), may not directly benefit from these behavioral findings.
What this research studies
Researchers use rat models that mimic drug-taking to see how animals choose between drugs and non-drug rewards when the 'cost' or availability of each option is changed. They apply a behavioral economic framework to test whether opioids and stimulants act as substitutes, complements, or independent options relative to alternative rewards. By measuring consumption and choice patterns under different pricing and cue conditions, the team hopes to identify conditions that reduce drug-taking. Findings are intended to guide behavioral approaches or policies that encourage healthier choices in people with substance use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to behavioral or policy strategies that shift choice away from drugs toward healthier rewards, helping reduce relapse and overall drug use.
How similar studies have gone: Behavioral-economic approaches and contingency-based interventions have shown promising results in humans, but directly comparing substitutability between opioids and stimulants with this experimental approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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American University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kearns, David N — American University
- Study coordinator: Kearns, David N
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.