Understanding how behavioral factors influence opioid and cocaine use
Official title: Opioid and Psychostimulant Taking: Testing the Impact of Behavioral Economic Contexts
Funded at American University · NIH-10893371 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at why people might struggle with cocaine and opioid use by observing animals to see how money and availability of drugs affect their choices, hoping to find new ways to help reduce drug use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | American University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $320,217 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055572-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893371 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with opioid or cocaine addiction who may benefit from new treatment strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use opioids or cocaine, or those with other types of substance use disorders, may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind substance use disorders, specifically focusing on cocaine and opioid use. By using an animal model, the study examines how different economic contexts affect drug-taking behavior. The researchers will explore how the availability and cost of drugs influence choices between drugs and non-drug rewards. This approach aims to uncover new strategies for reducing drug use by understanding the underlying behavioral economics involved in addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective interventions for reducing opioid and cocaine use among individuals with substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While the behavioral economic approach to understanding drug use is established, the specific focus on the interplay between opioids and psychostimulants in this context is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
American University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kearns, David N — American University
- Study coordinator: Kearns, David N
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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.