Understanding Craving and Emotions in Substance Use Disorders

SCH: Multidimensional Data Science Approach: Measuring and Characterizing Craving and Affective Profiles in Substance Use Disorders

NIH-funded research Rice University · NIH-11112449

This project aims to better understand how cravings and emotions affect people with substance use disorders by collecting information from their brains, bodies, and daily lives.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRice University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11112449 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project seeks to create a detailed picture of how cravings and emotions work in people with substance use disorders. Researchers will gather information in a lab setting using brain scans (fMRI) and other body measurements while participants experience craving or emotional cues. They will also collect data from participants' daily lives using mobile phones and wearable sensors. By combining these different types of information, the goal is to find patterns that could help detect craving moments and lead to new ways to help.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder, including opioid, cocaine, methamphetamine, or alcohol use.

Not a fit: Patients who do not experience cravings or emotional triggers related to substance use may not directly benefit from this specific approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to detect and intervene during craving moments, potentially helping individuals manage their substance use disorder more effectively.

How similar studies have performed: While individual components like fMRI or wearable sensors have been used, combining these multidimensional data science approaches to characterize craving and affective profiles in SUD is a novel and less tested approach.

Where this research is happening

Houston, 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 2026-06-10 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.