Research Initiatives

A group of researchers having a discussion

The Division of Addiction Research and Treatment receives extensive external funding for its research and clinical initiatives. Recent and ongoing projects include the following:

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Phase 2 Pharmacogenetic Study of Ondansetron in Alcohol Use Disorder
This 20-week research study is being conducted to learn whether a medication called ondansetron, combined with brief counseling, is more helpful than placebo in reducing the number of heavy drinking days in people with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) who want to reduce or stop their drinking, and who also have specific genetic characteristics.

ANCHOR Study
A multisite pilot study to evaluate a model of care for treatment of chronic hepatitis C in people with ongoing or recent injection drug use.

Augmenting MAT Treatment Outcomes
A longstanding research program exploring psychosocial interventions to augment MAT treatment outcomes.

Biomarkers to Measure Treatment Response for Alcohol Dependence
The primary objective of this research study is to validate a genomic biomarker to explore its potential as a test that can predict the amount of recent heavy drinking. Secondary objectives include exploration of other novel molecular biomarkers of heavy drinking present in blood.

DOTS Project
Collaboration with UMCP to identify novel synthetic substances in patients presenting at PES with atypical psychosis.

Geospatial Analysis of Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment Project
Collaboration with the Center for Geospatial Information Science (UMCP) and CESAR (UMCP) to conduct geographic analyses of methadone patients’ residence information. Examines the geospatial determinants of where patients seek treatment and evaluates patient retention and treatment outcomes. Awarded DRI funds from UMCP.

MPower Opioid Use Disorder Project
Collaboration with epidemiologists (CESAR, UMCP) to conduct comprehensive urine toxicology screens and drug use questionnaires from patients in methadone treatment. Goal is to understand patterns of drug use in West Baltimore.

Navigation Services to Avoid Rehospitalization (NavStar) Among Substance Abusers
Collaboration between he Division of Addiction Research and Treatment's Substance Abuse Consultation Service (SACS) and Friends Research Institute that tracks how navigation services can reduce re-hospitalizations in patients with substance use disorders. Funded by NIDA

Pharmacogenetic Treatment with Anti-Glutaminergic Agents for Comorbid PTSD & AUD
The primary objective of this 14-week research study is to determine the efficacy of a medication called pregabalin, administered orally for a period of 12 weeks, in reducing heavy drinking and symptoms of PTSD among individuals who have selected genotypes at the gamma-amino butyric acid transporter and receptor genes. The secondary objective is to assess the safety and tolerability of pregabalin in participants with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and co-occurring PTSD.

Placebo Project
Pilot study exploring the use of open-label dose-extending placebos as an adjunct to methadone treatment to enhance treatment outcomes. Funded by a Foundation grant, conducted in collaboration with faculty from the school of nursing.

Training Health Care Professionals
A SAMHSA grant to fund SBIRT training for healthcare professionals