Welcome to the Substance Use Studies Page

About Substance Use

Substance use occurs when a person uses mind-altering substances such as alcohol or drugs. While not everyone who uses these substances develops a problem, alcohol and drug misuse leads to harmful consequences for many individuals and families. Because alcohol and drugs change the brain, controlling intake can be challenging, quitting can be difficult, and relapses are common. Researchers studying substance use and misuse want to learn more about the complex interactions between biology (e.g., genetics, mental disorders) and environment (e.g., peer pressure, history of abuse, stress) in people who use alcohol and drugs. Over time, these findings may lead to new ways to predict behaviors and treat those who misuse substances.

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

MyPaTH Story Booth 2.0

Interested in sharing your story about health, illness, or research? Patients and caregivers are needed to participate in a research study to help learn more about topics that are important to you and that may improve health and health care. Participation involves one 45-minute session that takes place over the phone. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

DURATION: 45 minutes

VISITS: 1 visit or phone call

LOCATION: By phone

COMPENSATION: NONE

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

MyPaTH Story Booth: Amplifying African American Voices and Healthcare Experiences

In follow-up of Black History Month, the Story Booth team is putting a special focus on stories from African American storytellers over the next 90 days. We would like to invite patients, caregivers, and health care providers to share their experiences regarding accessing health care. Your voices can empower change to research, patient-centered care, and most importantly, your community.

DURATION: 45 minutes

VISITS: 1 phone call

COMPENSATION: NONE

All of Us Pennsylvania Research Program

All of Us wants at least one million people to join. Your participation can help shape the future of health for generations to come. People who join will share information. This might be about their health, habits, and what it’s like where they live. It might also be about family history and genes. By looking for patterns, researchers may learn more about what affects people’s health.

VISITS: one in person visit

LOCATION: Convenient locations throughout Pennsylvania

COMPENSATION: $25.00 gift card

Brain Imaging Research Study - Social Smokers and Vapers

Are you aged 18–55 and smoke or vape nicotine-containing products at least twice per month? You may be able to participate in a research study to learn more about a protein in the brain that may play a role in substance use disorders. Compensation is provided.

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Male

DURATION: 2-3 weeks

VISITS: At least 3

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $1000 & parking reimbursement

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Cancer and Opioids: Patient Experiences with Stigma (COPES)

Have you been diagnosed with advanced cancer and currently take prescription pain medication to treat your pain? You may be eligible to participate in a research study to develop interventions to promote safe, effective, and informed opioid pain management practices for millions of patients with cancer pain. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: Up to 5 months

VISITS: 4 online activities

LOCATION: Online

COMPENSATION: up to $80

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Project Lynx

Are you 18 to 29 years old? Have you been to prison or jail, or been on parole or probation, in the last year? You may be eligible for a study to develop and test a program to screen and link young adults involved in the criminal legal system to substance use treatment and HIV prevention services. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 2 hours

VISITS: One focus group

LOCATION: Zoom videoconerencing or in person in Pittsburgh

COMPENSATION: $40

Cannabis Reactions, Effects, Acute Thoughts, and Experiences (CREATE) Study

Do you use cannabis? If you are between the ages of 18 to 25 and use cannabis at least weekly, you may be eligible to participate in a research study. The CREATE Study examines cannabis use, mood, experiences, and behaviors in the lab and throughout your day. We offer evening hours and weekends for study visits to fit your schedule.

DURATION: 6 months

VISITS: 2 in lab visits and 2 smartphone survey periods

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $600

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Alcohol Survey Knowledge (ASK) Study

Are you 18-50 years old and drink alcohol weekly? You may be eligible for a research study to learn more about how people describe their experiences related to alcohol use. Compensation is provided.

Alcohol

Other Wellness and Lifestyle

Remote Research

AGE: 18-50

DURATION: 30 minutes

VISITS: Online survey or in-person if preferred

LOCATION: Parkvale Building - Oakland & at your home

COMPENSATION: $25

Cocaine Users – CRF-NOP Brain Imaging Study

Cocaine users between 18-50 years old are needed for a brain imaging research study to help learn more about the role of a protein in cocaine use. Participation involves questionnaires, interviews, brain scanning (1 MRI and 2 PET scans), and the administration of intravenous hydrocortisone. Compensation provided.

Drugs

AGE: 18 - 50

DURATION: 4-6 months

VISITS: At least 3 visits

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (Oakland)

COMPENSATION: Up to $1,660

Brain Imaging Research Study – Cocaine Users

Do you currently use cocaine or have you recently used cocaine? Are you aged 18–55? You may be able to participate in a research study to help learn more about two proteins in the brain that may play a role in substance use disorders. Compensation is provided.

Drugs

Featured Research

AGE: 18-55

DURATION: 4 months

VISITS: At least 18 visits

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $2460

Neuro Study for Pregnant Women in an Opioid Replacement Therapy Program

Are you currently pregnant and taking Subutex (Buprenorphine), Suboxone, or Methadone? You may be able to participate in a study to evaluate the effects of these medications on the fetal and newborn baby’s brain. There are four parts to this study, and you may choose to participate in one or more parts. Compensation is provided for all parts of the study.

Drugs

Pregnancy and Postpartum Health

AGE: 18-45

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female

LOCATION: Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Varies

Craving and Smoking Behavior Study

Are you 26-55 years old and interested in quitting smoking? You may eligible for a study to test new methods aimed at helping individuals quit smoking. This is not a treatment study. This study includes 10 in-person visits. Study procedures involve completing questionnaires and undergoing an EEG (measures brain activity) and tDSC (non-invasive brain stimulation). Compensation is provided.

Smoking

Smoking Cessation

AGE: 26-55

DURATION: Approximately 2 months

VISITS: 10

LOCATION: UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (WPH) - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $350

Biobehavioral Characteristics of Smokers

Are you 18-49 years old, a current smoker, and able to speak fluent English? You may be able to take part in a research study to learn more about the characteristics of current smokers. This study involves 1 screening visit and 2 study visits, with one of the visits involving an MRI brain scan. Participants must be willing to not smoke for 8 hours before the 2 study visits. Compensation provided.

Smoking

AGE: 18-49

DURATION: Up to 40 days

VISITS: 3

LOCATION: Alcohol and Smoking Research Laboratory (ASRL) – Sennott Square & Pitt-CMU BRIDGE Center – Carnegie Mellon University

COMPENSATION: Up to $260

Q-PRONTO Research Study – Pregnant and on MAT

Are you in your third trimester of pregnancy (at least 28 weeks pregnant)? Are you currently on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder? You may be able to participate in a study to evaluate third trimester and postpartum pain sensitivity in patients with and without history of opioid use. This study involves 2 visits lasting about 1 hour total. Compensation is provided.

Drugs

Pregnancy and Postpartum Health

AGE: 18 and up

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female, Intersex

DURATION: Up to 1 hour

VISITS: 2

LOCATION: Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC – Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $25

RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:

Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, Other Substance Use