A pragmatic remote approach to improve transitions of care and retention in opioid use disorder treatment: Qualitative Interviews

Date Added
May 20th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00141967
Researcher
Allison Smith

List of Studies


Keywords
Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

The primary objective of this proposal is to conduct surveys and qualitative interviews to get feedback from (1) stakeholders and (2) people with lived experience of opioid use and a related medical hospitalization, on the barriers and facilitators of new potential strategy of treatment. The potential proposed intervention we will ask questions about is the direct mailing medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) in an attempt to overcome many of the barriers that interfere with treatment retention (i.e. transportation). Qualitative interviews will be used to get feedback on the feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of mailing maintenance medications for OUD after a hospital discharge. In a future study, this feedback will be used to develop a protocol to test this method.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Allison Smith
843-792-0686
smithall@musc.edu

A randomized, controlled trial of varenicline for e-cigarette cessation

Date Added
May 9th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00142969
Researcher
Benjamin Toll

List of Studies


Keywords
Drug Studies, Substance Use
Summary

This is a smoking cessation study which is examining varenicline for use in reducing or quitting e-cigarettes. Half of the participants will receive a placebo pill and half will receive varenicline. All participants will be asked to complete daily, brief REDCap EMA diaries (to report e-cigarette use, other tobacco use, and record videos of medication taking) and attend research visits every 3 weeks (i.e., weeks 3, 6, 9, 12) to complete additional assessments and receive compensation for doing so.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Rachel Christian
(843)737-1516
chrisrac@musc.edu

Circuitry-guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for tobacco use in Veterans: A comparison of insula-rTMS and prefrontal-rTMS

Date Added
May 6th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00141919
Researcher
Xingbao Li

List of Studies


Keywords
Brain, Healthy Volunteer Studies, Smoking, Substance Use
Summary

Quitting smoking is hard, and many Veterans struggle even with current treatments. This study is testing a safe, non-invasive brain stimulation called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which is already FDA-approved to help people stop smoking. We're comparing two types—standard and personalized—to see which works better. We aim to find the best option to help Veterans quit for good.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Cyra Valente
843 792-0136
VA email in process (valentec@musc.edu)

A Phase 2, Double-Blind, Proof of Concept Study to Evaluate Mazdutide Compared with Placebo in Participants with Alcohol Use Disorder

Date Added
April 23rd, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00142519
Researcher
Sarah Book

List of Studies


Keywords
Substance Use
Summary

This is a 28-week-long treatment study for people with Alcohol Use Disorder who want to stop or cut down their drinking. The purpose of this study is to determine whether an investigational medication, Mazdutide, affects craving for alcohol and/or alcohol drinking while taking the study drug. Participants will be randomly assigned to Mazdutide or a matched placebo

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Konstantin Voronin
843-792-4887
voronin@musc.edu

A Qualitative Investigation of Patient, Family, and Provider Treatment Preferences in PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder

Date Added
April 1st, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00142158
Researcher
Sarah Giff

List of Studies

Keywords
Alcohol, Anxiety, Military, Psychiatry, Stress Disorders, Substance Use
Summary

Co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) disproportionately affects Veterans and has significant negative impacts on the safety, wellbeing, and quality of life of Veterans, their romantic partners, and their families. However, treatments that address co-occurring PTSD-AUD and restore Veterans' psychosocial functioning are lacking. This project is designed to learn more to facilitate improving treatment approaches aimed at reducing symptoms of co-occurring PTSD-AUD and improving functioning among Veterans and their partners. The goal of this project is to learn from Veterans, family members, and treatment providers in order to inform an adaptation of a brief dyadic AUD intervention to be delivered alongside integrated PTSD-AUD treatment for Veteran couples.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Sarah Giff
(843) 792-5569
giff@Musc.edu

Technology-Enhanced Therapy vs. Medication Monitoring for Buprenorphine Retention in Pregnant Persons

Date Added
December 3rd, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00141060
Researcher
Sara Witcraft

List of Studies

Keywords
Anxiety, Mental Health, Pregnancy, Psychiatry, Sleep Disorders, Substance Use, Women's Health
Summary

This study involves testing how useful a technology-enhanced therapy is for pregnant people prescribed buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder, compared to medication monitoring. Participants are randomized to one of the conditions. Participants randomized to receive the therapy will attend four 60-minute therapy appointments during pregnancy with an additional 30-minute therapy session towards the end of pregnancy, and 6 additional monthly postpartum (after childbirth) sessions (0-6 months postpartum). As part of the therapy program, participants will receive access to a mobile application, which will be accessible for the duration of the study. Participants randomized to medication monitoring will be asked to log each time the medication is taken for a two month period. All participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires at enrollment and again at 3-month postpartum and 6-months postpartum, and will be contacted randomly throughout the study to perform a medication count. The total duration of the study is between 8-12 months depending on when enrollment occurs (early second trimester-mid third trimester). Compensation up to $310 is provided.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Maham Dilawar
843-214-4496
dilawarm@musc.edu

Integrated Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder and PTSD

Date Added
November 5th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00138487
Researcher
Tanya Saraiya

List of Studies

Keywords
Mental Health, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

This study will test a therapy intervention, HOPE, for individuals with opioid use disorder and postttraumatic stress disorder. Interested individuals will need to be taking medications for opioid use disorder (e.g., suboxone, naltrexone, methadone). Interested participants will complete a 10-12 week therapy, and be asked to complete surveys.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Tanya Saraiya
347-961-8252
pathlab@musc.edu

The Effects of Adolescents Alcohol Use on Oral Microbiota and the Brain.

Date Added
August 6th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00138324
Researcher
Anna Kirkland

List of Studies

Keywords
Adolescents, Alcohol, Brain, Drug Studies, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

Adolescence is a time of development in the brain and microbiome, including the microbiome present in the mouth called the oral microbiome. Alcohol use often begins and escalates during adolescence, which can cause changes to the oral microbiome leading to changes in the brain. The alcohol specific changes to the oral microbiome and the brain may make adolescents more vulnerable to a lifelong struggle with alcohol use disorder. This study will collect (1) saliva to assess the composition of the oral microbiome and (2) brain measurements using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) across adolescents who may or may not use alcohol. Findings from this study will help form a more thorough understanding of the biological consequences of adolescent alcohol use, with the long-term goal of informing novel prevention and intervention efforts.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Anna Kirkland
(843) 792-5453
kirklaan@musc.edu

EMPWR Pilot Trial: Treatment Retention in Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Date Added
August 6th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00137982
Researcher
Sara Witcraft

List of Studies

Keywords
Anxiety, Mental Health, Pregnancy, Psychiatry, Sleep Disorders, Substance Use, Women's Health
Summary

This study involves testing how useful a technology-enhanced intervention is for pregnant people prescribed buprenorphine for the management of opioid use disorder. The intervention being studied is a brief skill building protocol and a mobile application. Participation involves three 60-90-minute skill building appointments during pregnancy, and four 30-minute check-in visits at the end of pregnancy through 3 months postpartum. The mobile application will be accessible for at least the duration of the study. Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires at enrollment and again at 1-month postpartum and 3-months postpartum, will send monthly photos of their prescription bottle/box, and will be contacted randomly throughout the study to perform a medication count. The total duration of the study is between 5-9 months depending on when you enroll. Compensation is provided.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Maham Dilawar
843-214-4496
dilawarm@musc.edu

A prospective trial of varenicline and incentives for e-cigarette cessation in adults who co-use cannabis

Date Added
June 4th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00136601
Researcher
Erin McClure

List of Studies


Keywords
Smoking, Substance Use
Summary

The purpose of this study is to better understand tobacco outcomes using a commonly prescribed stop smoking medication (varenicline) and financial incentives for adults who also use cannabis. Varenicline is not FDA approved for e-cigarette cessation, but is FDA approved for cigarette cessation. We are also interested in how cannabis/marijuana and tobacco interact during a tobacco quit attempt. All participants will receive e-cigarette cessation treatment for 12 weeks. To qualify, participants must be between the ages of 18-40 and use both tobacco and cannabis. Participants do not need to be interested in quitting cannabis to qualify. This study is being conducted at three sites: the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, Behavioral Health Services in Pickens, SC, and MUSC Lancaster

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Emma Mandel
843-792-4097 or 843-830-0165
smokingstudy@musc.edu



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