How stress affects drug-seeking behavior in people with addiction
Official title: Mechanisms underlying the influence of stress on drug-seeking behavior
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11082398 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how stress affects people trying to overcome drug addiction, using rats to explore how stress can lead to cravings and relapse, with the hope of finding better ways to help those in recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $588,293 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059194-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082398 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of substance use disorders who experience stress-related triggers for relapse.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of substance use disorders or who are not affected by stress-related triggers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how stress influences the behavior of individuals seeking drugs, particularly in the context of substance use disorders (SUDs). It aims to understand the complex relationship between stress and relapse, focusing on the biological mechanisms that make stress a trigger for drug-seeking behavior. Using a rat model, the study examines how stress interacts with drug use and the brain's signaling pathways, particularly involving the endocannabinoid system. The findings could lead to new strategies for preventing relapse in individuals recovering from addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions that reduce the risk of relapse in individuals with substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of stress in addiction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mantsch, John R. — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Mantsch, John R.
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.