Preventing alcohol and drug problems in adults displaced by war
Official title: Substance Use Prevention for Recently displaced Adults (SUPRA)
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-11498123 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project offers a short counseling program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help adults displaced by the war in Ukraine avoid unhealthy alcohol and drug use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $118,239 |
| NIH project number | 3R33DA059856-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11498123 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults (age 21 and older) who have been recently displaced (internally displaced persons) by the war in Ukraine or similar humanitarian situations and who are willing to complete surveys and brief counseling sessions.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21, those not displaced, or individuals with severe, established substance use disorders requiring intensive medical or inpatient treatment may not benefit from this prevention-focused program.
What this research studies
First, researchers will ask people like you who were forced to leave their homes in Ukraine to complete a confidential survey about alcohol and drug use to learn how common these problems are. Based on those findings, they will adapt a brief program using acceptance, mindfulness, and behavior-change skills (ACT) to fit displaced adults' needs. Then eligible adults will be invited to join a randomized trial where some receive the new program and others receive usual care or information, with regular check-ins to see how everyone is doing. Participation may include answering questionnaires, attending brief counseling sessions, and follow-up contacts over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help displaced adults reduce risky alcohol and drug use and improve coping after forced displacement.
How similar studies have gone: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has shown promise for reducing substance use in other settings, but using it specifically to prevent substance problems among displaced populations is a newer application.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lunze, Karsten — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Lunze, Karsten
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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.