Using mobile phones to help reduce drug use in primary care patients
Official title: mHealth to Enhance & Sustain Drug Use Reduction of the QUIT BI in Primary Care
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10829844 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using mobile phone apps can help people cut down on risky drug use over a year, and it's designed for patients getting care at health centers in Southern California.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $705,557 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA047386-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10829844 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adult primary care patients, particularly those from low-income backgrounds and diverse populations, who exhibit risky drug use behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not engage in drug use or have no history of substance use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of mobile phone technology to support patients in reducing risky drug use over a 12-month period. It builds on a previous successful intervention by implementing self-monitoring and feedback through mobile devices for patients receiving care at federally qualified health centers in Southern California. The study will compare the effectiveness of this mobile approach against standard care and usual care, utilizing urine tests and self-reports to track drug use patterns. The goal is to enhance the impact of the intervention and gather data on its cost-effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with effective tools to manage and reduce their drug use, leading to improved health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with mobile health interventions for substance use reduction, indicating a promising approach for this research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gelberg, Lillian — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Gelberg, Lillian
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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.