Investigating non-prescribed stimulant use for chronic pain management in people living with HIV
Official title: Midcareer K24 Award for Mentoring and Patient-Oriented Research
Funded at San Francisco Department of Public Health · NIH-11006265 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people living with HIV and dealing with nerve pain use non-prescription stimulants like methamphetamine to help manage their pain, and it’s for those who want to share their experiences and help improve pain management for others in similar situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Francisco Department of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $199,597 |
| NIH project number | 5K24DA042720-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006265 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who experience neuropathic pain and use non-prescribed stimulants for pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or chronic pain conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how individuals living with HIV and experiencing neuropathic pain use non-prescribed stimulants, like methamphetamine, as a form of self-care for their chronic pain. The project will involve enrolling 50 participants who will provide data through ecological momentary assessments over six months, allowing researchers to track their pain levels and stimulant use in real-time. Additionally, qualitative interviews will be conducted with 30 participants to gain deeper insights into their experiences with pain and the social implications of their self-care strategies. The research aims to enhance mentoring in the field and improve the understanding of pain management in underrepresented populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better pain management strategies for individuals living with HIV and chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on non-prescribed stimulant use in this context may be novel, there is existing research on pain management strategies that have shown promise in similar populations.
Where this research is happening
-
San Francisco Department of Public Health
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coffin, Phillip O — San Francisco Department of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Coffin, Phillip O
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.