Understanding how substance cues affect cravings in people recovering from addiction
Cue Incubation in Substance Use Disorders: Validation and Assessment of Mechanisms
This study is looking at how seeing or thinking about things related to drugs or alcohol can affect cravings and the chance of relapse for people recovering from addiction, and it aims to find ways to help those who might struggle during their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10397679 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to cues associated with substance use, such as alcohol or cocaine, can influence cravings and the risk of relapse in individuals recovering from addiction. By studying inpatients at a drug rehabilitation center, the research will measure changes in craving levels, brain activity, and biological markers related to cue reactivity. The goal is to identify mechanisms that contribute to increased cravings during the early stages of abstinence, which could help in developing targeted interventions for those at risk of relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals currently undergoing treatment for cocaine use disorder in a residential rehabilitation setting.
Not a fit: Patients who are not currently in treatment for substance use disorders or those with other substance use issues may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing relapse in individuals recovering from substance use disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that cue reactivity is a significant factor in relapse for various substances, indicating that this approach has been successful in similar contexts.
Where this research is happening
College Park, United States
- Univ of Maryland, College Park — College Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bernat, Edward M. — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Bernat, Edward M.
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 below.