Investigating the effects of opioids and benzodiazepines on substance abuse

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study aims to explore the neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes associated with chronic use of opioids and benzodiazepines. Participants will undergo a screening phase to assess affective dysregulation and will then participate in a laboratory experiment where they will receive various combinations of morphine, alprazolam, and placebo. The goal is to understand how these substances affect emotional regulation and decision-making processes in individuals with a history of polysubstance abuse. The findings could provide insights into the mechanisms that perpetuate addiction and inform future treatment strategies.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* must self-report past 10-year experience taking opioid and sedative drugs (for therapeutic or non-therapeutic reasons), but not necessarily at the same time. As an alternative to the sedative drug exposure requirement, participants must have used alcohol on at least 3 separate days during the past month. Participants may have current mild- or moderate-severity Opioid Use Disorder or current mild- or moderate-severity Sedative Use Disorder;
* must not be seeking treatment for their substance use problems;
* must be in current good overall health

Exclusion Criteria:

* meet DSM-5 criteria for current psychosis, bipolar disorder, or severe depression (i.e. severe psychiatric disorder);
* meet DSM-5 criteria for severe substance use disorder for any substance (e.g. Sedative, Opioid, Alcohol);
* past-month benzodiazepine or opioid prescription (which would suggest daily use, tolerance, or withdrawal upon cessation);
* report of past-year any-drug overdose or suicide attempt/ideation;
* exhibit cognitive impairment (IQ \< 80 on the Shipley Institute of Living Scale);
* neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or systemic diseases (see specific exclusionary conditions under Protection of Human Subjects);
* body mass index \> 38 kg/m2;
* females who are pregnant (urine), lactating or heterosexually active (self-report) and not using medically approved birth control;
* treatment with methadone, buprenorphine or naltrexone;
* past 30-day use of contraindicated medications;
* alcohol-positive breath sample (\>.02% breath alcohol concentration);
* urine sample positive for methadone, cocaine, amphetamines, or barbiturates (\<300 ng/ml)
* intolerance of lactose

Where it's running

• Tolan Park Medical Building
  Detroit, Michigan, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Mark K Greenwald, PhD — Wayne State University
• Study coordinator: Mark K Greenwald, PhD
• Email: mgreen@med.wayne.edu
• Phone: 313-993-3965

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Understanding opioid and benzodiazepine abuse patterns

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• Helping rural jails use medications for opioid use disorder better

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.