Treatment for veterans dealing with chronic pain and opioid addiction

Integrated Treatment for Veterans with Co-Occurring Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder

NIH-funded research University of New Mexico · NIH-11092499

This study is looking for veterans dealing with chronic pain and issues with opioid use to see if a special treatment that combines therapy for pain management and mindfulness for preventing relapse can help them feel better and reduce their use of opioids.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of New Mexico NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Albuquerque, United States)
Project IDNIH-11092499 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on veterans who suffer from chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD). It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated psychosocial treatment approach that combines Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for managing chronic pain with Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention for addressing substance misuse. The study will utilize a multisite randomized clinical trial design to assess how well these interventions can reduce pain interference and opioid misuse among participants. By participating, veterans may receive tailored support that addresses both their pain and addiction issues simultaneously.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are military veterans who experience chronic pain and are currently using buprenorphine to manage opioid use disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have chronic pain or opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide veterans with effective treatment options that alleviate chronic pain while reducing opioid dependence.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using integrated psychosocial treatments for chronic pain and substance use disorders, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Where this research is happening

Albuquerque, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.