A Study Comparing Oral Buprenorphine and Injectable Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
VA-BRAVE will determine whether a 28-day long-acting injectable sub-cutaneous (in the belly area) formulation of buprenorphine at a target dose of 300mg is superior in retaining Veterans in opioid tre...
Office-based Methadone Versus Buprenorphine to Address Retention in Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment.
The purpose of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of office-based methadone with pharmacy administration and/or dispensing to office-based buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid us...
Implementation and Effectiveness of Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement as an Adjunct to Methadone Treatment
This hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial will evaluate Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) for patients with opioid use disorder receiving methadone treatment (MT). The investigator...
Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement
The purpose of this study is to 1) examine barriers and facilitators to implementation of MI and MORE for polysubstance use and evaluate strategies for optimizing training, fidelity, and clinic uptake...
Standard Versus High Dose ED-Initiated Buprenorphine Induction
This study is a multisite double-blind, double-dummy, randomized clinical trial enrolling ED patients with untreated moderate to severe opioid use disorder (OUD) to compare Standard Dose Induction (SD...
Enhanced Digital-Chemosensory-Based Olfactory Training for Remote Management of Substance Use Disorders
The overarching goal of this study phase, Phase II component is to implement Enhanced Digital-Chemosensory-Based Olfactory Training for Remote Management of Substance Use Disorders (EDITOR) device in ...
A Study to Evaluate Mazdutide Compared With Placebo in Participants With Alcohol Use Disorder
The objective of this proof-of-concept study to evaluate mazdutide in participants with alcohol use disorder (AUD). For any individual participant, the maximum duration of study participation is appr...
Integrated e-Health (Electronic Health) for HIV and Substance Use Disorders in Justice Involved Women
The purpose of this 2-site (CT, AL) study is to test innovative interventions to reduce stigma and improve the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and opioid use disorder (OUD) care continua in women invo...
Treating Polysubstance Use Using a Novel Digital Technology
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effects of an app to reduce opioid and cocaine use when layered atop methadone treatment as usual among people using both opioids and cocaine. The m...
Smartphones for Opiate Addiction Recovery
Treatments for opioid addiction exist, but effectiveness is compromised when subjects use illicit opiates during treatment. Reuse rates during treatment can be high, and reducing illicit opiate use du...
Examining the Role of the Orexin System in Sleep and Stress in Persons With Opioid Use Disorder
This study is designed to elucidate the role of the orexin neurotransmitter system in sleep disturbance and circadian rhythms of stress that might in turn influence relapse behaviors in persons on med...
Assessing Optimal XRB Initiation Points in Jail
This application describes a 3-year, randomized controlled trial. Eligible, consenting adults (N=200) with existing sublingual buprenorphine (SLB) prescriptions who enter Middlesex County House of Cor...
Study of Sunobinop on Alcohol Consumption in Alcohol Use Disorder
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of sunobinop compared to placebo on alcohol consumption in subjects with alcohol use disorder....
GLP-1R Agonist Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if semaglutide can reduce illicit opioid use in adults in outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder, and who are receiving either buprenorphine or methad...
Guanfacine for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
The investigators assess whether guanfacine extended release (GXR; 3mg/d) compared with placebo (PBO) will attenuate drinking and drinking-related factors in N=200 men and women with Alcohol Use Disor...
Efficacy of Buprenorphine and XR-Naltrexone Combination for Relapse Prevention in Opioid Use Disorder
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a new pharmacological approach to increase efficacy of treatment with extended release naltrexone (XR-naltrexone) for individuals with opioid use disorder...
Prazosin for Alcohol Use Disorder With Withdrawal Symptoms
This is a Phase 2 single site randomized clinical trial (RCT) to be supported by a new NIH-NIAAA grant, R01-AA029113-01, to assess the efficacy of Prazosin (16mg/day) versus Placebo over a 12 week tre...
Extended-release Buprenorphine Compared to Sublingual Buprenorphine in Rural Settings (RXR)
This pilot trial will explore the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the most recently approved formulation of injectable extended-release buprenorphine (XR-BUP) for treatment of opioid ...
High Dose Buprenorphine (BUP) Induction in the Emergency Department (ED)
This project, involving two distinct clinical trials, tests whether induction to a higher than currently recommended buprenorphine (BUP) induction dose is safe and can improve the proportion of patien...
Ketamine for Methamphetamine Use Disorder
This study aims to determine whether treatment response with IV ketamine is superior to treatment response with IV midazolam in adults with moderate to severe MUD. The study design is a 12-week rando...
Lofexidine Combined With Buprenorphine for Reducing Symptoms of PTSD and OU Relapse in Veterans
The overall objective of the proposed study is to determine if lofexidine (LFX) as an adjunct to buprenorphine (BUP) treatment improves symptoms of both opioid use disorder (OUD) and Post-Traumatic St...
Non-invasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Opioid Use Disorders UH3
This study is being done to answer the question: what is the effect of Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) dosing on opioid withdrawal responses in individuals with a history of Opioid Use Disorders (OUDs)?...
RECLAIM STUDY: A Phase 2 Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Pemvidutide in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in Subjects With Obesity or Overweight
This is a Phase 2, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemvidutide in the treatment of AUD in subjects with obesity or overweight. Af...
Intestinal Microbiota Transplant in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
The purpose of this research study is to test the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of the capsules that contain bacteria from healthy individuals when used to treat alcohol craving and drinking...
Suvorexant for Treatment of AUD and PTSD
This study is to determine if suvorexant (SUV) will reduce insomnia in 76 men and women veteran and non-veterans between the ages 21-65 with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol u...
Clinical Trials of Multivalent Opioid Vaccine Components
Currently, abuse of prescription opioid analgesics and heroin is a serious problem in the U.S. Although several medications, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, are available and effec...
Top Cities for Substance Use Disorder Clinical Trials
Substance Use Disorder clinical trials are recruiting across 71 cities. Here are the cities with the most active studies:
About Substance Use Disorder
Substance use disorder is a condition where the use of substances leads to health issues, disability, and failure to meet responsibilities. It encompasses alcohol, opioid, stimulant, and other drug addictions. Treatment includes behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and support programs.
Clinical trials are advancing new treatments for substance use disorder. Currently, 26 studies are recruiting a combined 6,355 participants across the United States. Research is being conducted by 18 organizations including VA Office of Research and Development, Yale University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and 15 others.
2026 Substance Use Disorder Research Landscape
As of March 2026, the substance use disorder clinical trial landscape includes 26 actively recruiting studies across 71 cities in the United States. These studies are collectively seeking 6,355 participants, with an average enrollment target of 244 per study.
Research is being led by 18 different organizations, including VA Office of Research and Development, Yale University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Evon Medics LLC, Eli Lilly and Company, and 13 others. The large number of sponsors reflects significant research interest and investment in substance use disorder treatment advancement.
Geographically, substance use disorder trials are most concentrated in Baltimore, Maryland (9 trials); New York, New York (8 trials); Atlanta, Georgia (6 trials); New Haven, Connecticut (4 trials); New Brunswick, New Jersey (3 trials) and 7 other cities.
Featured Substance Use Disorder Studies
Highlighted recruiting studies for substance use disorder, selected by enrollment size and research scope.
A Study Comparing Oral Buprenorphine and Injectable Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
VA-BRAVE will determine whether a 28-day long-acting injectable sub-cutaneous (in the belly area) formulation of buprenorphine at a target dose of 300mg is superior in retaining Veterans in opioid treatment and in sustaining opioid abstinence compared to the daily sublingual (under the tongue) buprenorphine formulation at a target dose of 16-32 mg (standard of care). This is an open-label, randomi...
Office-based Methadone Versus Buprenorphine to Address Retention in Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment.
The purpose of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of office-based methadone with pharmacy administration and/or dispensing to office-based buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder. This study will also examine factors influencing the implementation of office-based methadone.
Implementation and Effectiveness of Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement as an Adjunct to Methadone Treatment
This hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial will evaluate Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) for patients with opioid use disorder receiving methadone treatment (MT). The investigators will also assess barriers and facilitators to integrating MORE into methadone treatment, and evaluate the impact of a sustainable train-the-trainer model on provider burden, intervention fidelity, i...
Frequently Asked Questions About Substance Use Disorder Clinical Trials
Are there substance use disorder clinical trials near me?
Yes, there are 26 substance use disorder clinical trials currently recruiting across 71+ cities in the United States, including Baltimore, Maryland; New York, New York; Atlanta, Georgia. Browse the studies above to find one at a location convenient for you.
How do I join a substance use disorder clinical trial?
To join a substance use disorder clinical trial: 1) Browse the available studies on this page, 2) Click on a study that interests you, 3) Check the study locations to find a site near you, 4) Review the eligibility criteria, and 5) Contact the study site or complete the eligibility form. The process is free and you can withdraw at any time.
Are substance use disorder clinical trials free?
Yes, participation in substance use disorder clinical trials is free. Study-related treatments, medical tests, and doctor visits are provided at no cost to participants. Many studies also offer compensation for your time and travel expenses.
What types of substance use disorder treatments are being studied?
Current substance use disorder clinical trials are testing a range of approaches. These include new drugs, combination therapies, medical devices, and other interventions sponsored by 18 research organizations.
Is it safe to participate in substance use disorder clinical trials?
Clinical trials are carefully regulated by the FDA and institutional review boards (IRBs). All trials must follow strict safety protocols, and participants receive close medical monitoring throughout the study. You can withdraw from a trial at any time without penalty.
Data updated March 1, 2026 from ClinicalTrials.gov
About This Data
Clinical trial information on this page is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Library of Medicine (NLM). Study data is refreshed every hour to ensure accuracy.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about clinical trial participation or changes to your treatment plan.
Page reviewed by the HelloStudys Research Team · Last updated March 1, 2026 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov