New Treatments & Clinical Trials for Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorder affects tens of millions of people in the United States, involving alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and other substances. Treatment now includes medications for opioid and alcohol use, behavioral therapies, and emerging approaches that target brain circuits involved in craving and relapse.

What's actually going on in research

Trials are testing vaccines that block drug effects, neuromodulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation to reduce craving, new medications that restore dopamine balance, and combinations of existing drugs with behavioral therapy. Studies are also examining psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use and ways to prevent relapse after treatment.

What to know before you search

Eligibility typically depends on the substance involved, whether a person is currently using or in early recovery, prior treatments tried, and willingness to participate in counseling or monitoring.

What types of trials are currently open

• Medication trials — Testing new drugs that reduce craving, block the effects of substances, or ease withdrawal symptoms. Many trials compare new medications to buprenorphine or naltrexone.
• Vaccine trials — Studies of vaccines designed to prevent opioids, cocaine, or methamphetamine from reaching the brain and producing euphoria.
• Neuromodulation trials — Testing brain stimulation devices that use magnetic fields or electrical currents to reduce cravings and prevent relapse.
• Behavioral intervention trials — Comparing types of therapy, coaching, or digital interventions that help people maintain recovery. Some test combinations of medication and counseling.
• Relapse prevention studies — Following people after treatment to identify what predicts relapse and test interventions that extend recovery.