Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
National Institute on Drug Abuse funds new treatment studies
By Staff Writer
As drug addiction continues to afflict a number of individuals, many scientists are conducting research to identify better methods of substance abuse help. For instance, the National Institute on Drug Abuse funds more than 100 community treatment providers and academic medical centers across the country through its Clinical Trials Network (CTN).
The treatment studies conducted are led by a CTN substance abuse researcher and supported by professionals in the CTN academic institutions affiliated with each participating site. For example, psychiatry researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSMC) are leading the Texas arm of CTN’s national network.
A treatment option currently being tested at UTSMC is known as the Stimulant Reduction Intervention Using Dose Exercise (STRIDE). This study tests the short and long-term effectiveness of adding either exercise or health education to the treatment of adults who abuse cocaine or other stimulants.
Another Texas-based trial is designed to see whether an interactive web-based therapy added to usual treatment can help addicts abstain from drug use.
Over the next several years, CTN is committed to engaging other types of medical doctors that treat drug users in similar research, according to officials from the organization.
