Preventing unhealthy substance use in recently displaced adults
Official title: Substance Use Prevention for Recently displaced Adults (SUPRA)
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-11454638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will create and try a short program to help prevent risky drinking and drug use among adults who were recently forced to leave their homes because of the war in Ukraine.
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) | $556,407 |
| NIH project number | 4R33DA059856-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11454638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who have been recently displaced (internally or as refugees), particularly those from Ukraine or similar humanitarian settings, and who are at risk for unhealthy substance use.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21, those who were not displaced, or individuals with severe, long-standing substance use disorders requiring intensive clinical treatment may not benefit from this prevention program.
What this research studies
You could first be invited to answer a survey about substance use and related needs among internally displaced adults so researchers can learn how common these problems are. Based on what the survey finds, the team will adapt a brief program informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (using acceptance, mindfulness, and behavior-change skills). In the next phase, eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive the new program or usual services so the researchers can see whether the program helps prevent unhealthy substance use. Boston Medical Center is leading the project with local partners to make the program practical and culturally appropriate for displaced adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a brief, culturally adapted program to reduce risky alcohol and drug use and improve coping for displaced adults.
How similar studies have gone: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has shown promise for substance use in other groups, but testing and adapting it specifically for displaced populations is relatively new.
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.