Active Studies

The work of the Center is carried out through clinical trials that investigate causes of substance use disorders and novel treatments. The findings in these studies often affect the way treatment is delivered in actual healthcare environments. Information about the studies currently being conducted may be accessed through the list below. To inquire about participating, please see the list below, organized by category. Use the contact information provided for the study in which you’re interested.

Nicotine Cessation Studies

Behavioral Intervention for Youth to Promote Vaping Cessation

Principal Investigator(s): A. Eden Evins, MD, MPH, and Randi Schuster, PhD

Teen vaping is rising, with nearly 20% of adolescents using nicotine in the past month. This trial will enroll 400 teens who vape weekly and want to quit. Participants will be randomized to a 12-week QuitVaping program with behavioral support or Enhanced Usual Care (EUC), which includes educational materials and a text-based quitting app. The study will measure vaping abstinence at 9–12 weeks and up to 36 weeks. The goal of this trial is to determine if behavioral and digital support can improve quitting rates and address the growing issue of youth nicotine addiction.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Email mcarothers@mgh.harvard.edu or call (617) 724-0522 to see if you are eligible.

Opioid Studies

Longitudinal Trajectories of Buprenorphine Adherence following Initial Engagement with a Low-Threshold Bridge Clinic: A Pilot Study

Principal Investigator(s): Joanna Streck, Ph.D.

There are gaps in research pertaining to Bridge Clinic models; therefore, there is limited knowledge about how, and for whom, Bridge Clinics support buprenorphine initiation, longer-term MOUD adherence, and linkage to care. The purpose of this study is to examine and describe patterns over time of buprenorphine adherence, substance use, and social determinants of health of adults initiating treatment at the MGH Bridge Clinic. Participants will compete two virtual study visits, as well as complete short daily surveys that will be administered via text messages.

The study is currently recruiting participants. Call 617-643-5279 to see if you are eligible.

Peer Recovery Coaching for Promoting Tobacco Abstinence in People with Opioid Use Disorder

Principal Investigator(s): Joanna Streck, Ph.D.

Most individuals receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) smoke cigarettes, have difficulty quitting smoking, and are highly likely to die from their tobacco use, yet existing smoking cessation interventions are suboptimal. This pilot randomized controlled trial compares tobacco coaching interventions delivered by a peer recovery coach versus a standard non-peer coach. The goal of this trial is to assess whether peer recovery coaches can help reduce smoking among adults who are receiving MOUD.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Email MGHPeerTTSstudy@mgb.org, or call (617) 643-0949 to see if you are eligible.

Neuroimaging Studies

Measuring Interventions and Network Dynamics – Mindfulness Assessment Platform

Principal Investigator: A. Eden Evins, M.D., MPH and Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli, Ph.D.

Recurrent negative thinking (RNT) accompanies serious mental illness (SMI) and is considered a transdiagnostic mediator for vulnerability and outcome in mood and substance use. It is associated with symptom severity, comorbidity, and relapse. Mindfulness encompasses strategies to keep attention to the present moment. Increasing focus to the present moment reduces rumination, depressive symptom severity, and serious mental illness relapse. This study aims to recruit 50 adolescents with RNT and 50 healthy controls, and will analyze the effect of mindfulness practice combined with real-time neurofeedback during an MRI scan in at-risk adolescents to better understand the role of mindfulness in reducing negative thinking.

The study is currently recruiting participants. Email cchmindfulnessstudy@mgb.org and see if you are eligible.

School-Based Research

A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Novel Drug Education and Diversion Program for Middle and High School Students

Principal Investigator(s): Randi Schuster, Ph.D.

A randomized controlled trial that aims to evaluate the iDECIDE drug education curriculum, compared to a waitlist control, in 300 middle and high school students who have violated their school substance use policies in the last month. The trial tests the effectiveness of the iDECIDE curriculum on improving substance use outcomes, as an alternative to punitive responses (e.g., suspension) for school substance use policy violations.

Visit the iDECIDE website to learn more, or check out the iDECIDE Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/idecide_labrct or call (617) 643-3574 to see if you are eligible.

Testing Scalable, Broad-Reach School-Based Brief Interventions for Alcohol Use

Principal Investigator(s): Randi Schuster, Ph.D.

Massachusetts is the only state in the country that mandates annual Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) assessments in middle schools and high schools. SBIRT is a tool used to identify adolescents who may be using substances and connect them to support services and resources.

The purpose of this study is to learn how to optimize the delivery of SBIRT in a school-based environment. The study will be evaluating the effectiveness of using a nonclinical Youth Wellness Coach to conduct SBIRT screenings in schools across the state. The Youth Wellness Coaches will have lived experience with substance use conditions and will be representative of the community they are serving. Additionally, the study will be holding interviews with students, school staff, and Youth Wellness Coaches to gain insight into the current SBIRT model and possible areas for change.

Development of a Drug Education Curriculum for Middle and High School Students

Principal Investigator(s): Randi Schuster, Ph.D.

A pilot study that aims to evaluate adolescents’ responses to the iDECIDE drug education curriculum to be used as an alternative for suspension for students with school-based substance use infractions.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/idecidepilot or call (617) 643-4382 to see if you are eligible.

School Screening for Substance Use and Related Risk Factors

Principal Investigator(s): Randi Schuster, Ph.D.

The school-wide assessment is a brief, longitudinal and epidemiological survey of youth substance use and mental health. The survey is administered with partnered middle and high schools across the state of Massachusetts each year. With the creation of a robust linking code we are able to link data across years to allow for the collection of long term survey data. The survey also aids in establishing a school-based recruitment pipeline used for other studies.