Understanding the risks of using alcohol with opioid medications
Co-Use of Opioid Medications and Alcohol Prevention Study (COAPS)
This study is looking at how to help people who are taking opioid medications and also drinking alcohol, by testing a new program at pharmacies that aims to support them in cutting back on alcohol while managing their pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10836408 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the co-use of alcohol and opioid medications, which poses significant health risks. It aims to develop and test a pharmacy-based intervention called Alcohol-targeted Brief Intervention-Medication Therapy Management (ABI-MTM) to help patients reduce alcohol consumption while on opioid treatment. The study will involve community pharmacy patients and will assess the acceptability and effectiveness of this intervention in managing both alcohol use and pain treatment. Patients will be randomized to receive either the intervention or standard care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are using opioid medications for pain management and have a history of heavy alcohol use.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use opioid medications or do not have issues with alcohol consumption may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help patients safely manage their pain without the risks associated with combining alcohol and opioids.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that interventions targeting substance use in pharmacy settings can be effective, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cochran, Gerald T. — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Cochran, Gerald T.
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.