Substance Abuse / Dual Diagnosis Studies
12-Step
Study
This study is
a randomized, controlled trial of 12-step facilitation and individual
therapy designed to help patients become actively engaged in 12-step
programs (such as Double Trouble in Recovery and Alcoholics Anonymous).
Patients will receive standard care in the Dual Diagnosis Program or
standard care plus 12-step facilitation therapy (TSF). This study requires
attending 8 visits over a 48 week period. Patients randomized to receive TSF
will attend therapy sessions for up to 12 weeks during the study. The study
PI is Michael Bogenschutz, M.D.
Patients must:
· Be 18 years of age or older
· Be diagnosed with alcohol abuse or dependence, which is active within the past month
· Be dually diagnosed with a psychotic-spectrum or major affective disorder
Patients cannot:
· Be currently attending a 12-step program (2 or more meetings in past month)
· Have an unstable psychiatric or medical illness
·
Have
cognitive impairment severe enough to render the individual incapable of
comprehending and participating in the TSF therapy or meetings
Alcohol Dependency (Acamprosate) Study
This study will evaluate
the effectiveness and safety of acamprosate in individuals aged 60 and older
who have alcohol dependency. Acamprosate is an FDA approved medication for
the treatment of alcohol dependency. Qualified participants will be
compensated for their time. The study PI is Florian Birkmayer, M.D.
Patients must:
· Be 60 years or older
· Be currently using alcohol
Patients cannot:
· Have any significant or unstable medical conditions
· Have a history of intolerance or hypersensitivity to acamprosate
Substance/ Alcohol-Related Brain Imaging Studies
Alcohol
and Adolescent Brain Development (ANA)
This study examines how
alcohol affects brain development in adolescents. Specifically this study
will look at brain structure and brain activity in adolescents who have
drunk alcohol and adolescents who have not. Qualified participants will be
compensated for their time. The study PI is Robert Thoma, Ph.D.
Patients must:
· Be between the ages of 12 to 18 years
· Be fluent in English
· Have consent from a parent or legal guardian to participate if under the age of 18
· Be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to all study visits if under the age of 18
Patients cannot:
· Have drunk alcohol 48 hours prior to evaluation
· Have a history of neurological disorder or disease
· Have a history of head trauma with a loss of consciousness of more than 5 minutes
· Have a history of psychosis or major mental illness (i.e. psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder)
· Have a history of mental retardation or learning disability
· Have a sensory disorder
Sensory
Gating and Dual Diagnosis (SCAN)
The purpose of this
research study is to investigate how the brain responds to sensory stimuli
and where in the brain these responses occur in people with different
medical conditions; Specifically this study will look at brain activity in
people who have been diagnosed and treated for substance abuse (either
alcohol or drugs) and/or schizophrenia, and people who have not been
diagnosed with either schizophrenia or alcohol/substance abuse. There are 3
groups in which a person could potentially be placed within the study.
Qualified participants will be compensated for their time. The study PI is Robert Thoma, Ph.D.
Patients may:
· Be between the ages of 21 to 45 years
· Have diagnosis of schizophrenia
· Have a history or current use of alcohol
· Be fluent in English
Patients must not:
· Have a history of head injury, or other neurological disorder
· Have a history of drug dependence, or currently be dependent on drugs
We are accepting healthy normal volunteers (individuals without a diagnosis of schizophrenia or a history of alcohol use) for this study.
