Understanding how stress affects drug use in people with opioid addiction
Official title: Neural, endocrine, and behavioral markers of psychosocial stress predicting drug use outcomes in human opioid addiction
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11012796 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress affects people with opioid use disorder who are trying to overcome their addiction, to help improve their treatment and reduce the chances of relapse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $469,460 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA049733-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012796 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are currently stabilized on medication-assisted treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder or those with other substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between psychosocial stress and drug use outcomes in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). It aims to translate findings from animal models to human patients undergoing medication-assisted treatment for heroin addiction. The study will assess both chronic and acute stress markers through behavioral tasks and brain imaging to understand how stress influences addiction behaviors. By identifying these stress markers, the research seeks to improve treatment adherence and reduce relapse rates among patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment strategies for individuals struggling with opioid addiction by addressing the role of stress in relapse.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the impact of stress on addiction can lead to significant advancements in treatment approaches, suggesting this study builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moeller, Scott J — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Moeller, Scott J
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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.