Substance Abuse / Dual Diagnosis Studies

12-Step Study (HRRC#: 05-228)
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
 


Substance/ Alcohol-Related Brain Imaging Studies

Alcohol and Adolescent Brain Development (ANA) (HRRC#: 07-347)
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) (HRRC#:06-422)
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.