Improving substance abuse treatment for underserved communities in Virginia
Official title: A Virginia Patient Engagement Resource Center to Improve Substance Abuse Treatment Interventions
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11124753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to improve treatment for people with substance use disorders in Virginia by creating a center where those in recovery can share their experiences and help shape better support and services, especially for those in underserved communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $447,397 |
| NIH project number | 5R24DA061203-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults with substance use disorders, particularly those from underserved and high-poverty communities in Richmond, VA.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have substance use disorders or those outside the targeted geographic area may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance substance use disorder (SUD) treatment by establishing a Patient Engagement Resource Center in Virginia. The project will create a patient advisory panel consisting of individuals in recovery and peer recovery navigators to ensure that the perspectives of those affected by SUD are integrated into treatment design. By employing community-based participatory approaches, the research will identify barriers to treatment and develop strategies to improve engagement among underserved populations, particularly in high-poverty areas. The initiative will focus on fostering authentic collaboration between researchers and community members to enhance the effectiveness of SUD interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and accessible substance abuse treatment options for individuals in underserved communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using community-based participatory approaches to improve health outcomes in underserved populations, indicating that this method is promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zimmerman, Emily Beth — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Zimmerman, Emily Beth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
-
Neurobiological signs of resilience and recovery from substance abuse in youth who faced childhood adversity
A long-term study will explore brain patterns in young people who faced childhood adversity to understand why some stay resilient and avoid substance problems.
-
Illuminating how brain peptides control withdrawal in methamphetamine use
A new NIH grant aims to build precise chemical tools to turn brain peptide signals on or off, helping people who are withdrawing from methamphetamine.
-
Molecular Pathways of Innate Immunity and Substance Abuse in NeuroHIV
A new project will explore how HIV and methamphetamine together cause brain inflammation, with the goal of understanding why some people living with HIV experience neurocognitive problems.
-
How neighborhood stigma and support relate to substance use and HIV risk for Black and Latino bisexual men
This project looks at how local stigma and supportive places in daily life relate to substance use and HIV risk among Black and Latino bisexual men.
-
How methamphetamine and immune signals affect the brain in people with HIV
This project tests whether methamphetamine together with HIV turns on a specific immune alarm pathway (cGAS/STING) in brain cells of people living with HIV who use methamphetamine.
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.