Actively Recruiting
Understanding and Treating Substance Use Disorder and Comorbid Conditions in Veterans' Real-Life Settings
Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2026-01-15
74
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
25 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
V
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead Sponsor
E
Emory University
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying substance use disorders (SUDs) in Veterans, focusing on understanding what triggers substance use, urges, and related mental health symptoms like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The study aims to create personalized models for each individual showing these connections and to see if sharing these personal models with clinical feedback can improve substance use and related symptoms. This research will help uncover common causes of substance use and recovery among Veterans with SUDs and other mental health conditions. Participants will complete a personalized 4-week ecological momentary assessment (EMA), reporting their substance use and related symptoms multiple times daily using a smartphone or similar device. Veterans will be randomly assigned to either receive their personal causal model and a one-hour clinical feedback session or to a control group that does not receive feedback during the study. The intervention group may also receive follow-up reminders reinforcing key insights from their models. After the study, control group participants can choose to receive their personal model. Throughout the study, researchers will assess substance use and related problems at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the intervention period, along with symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Participants in the intervention group may provide feedback about how helpful and relevant the personal models and feedback sessions were. The study will last several months, with ongoing evaluations to understand the clinical impact of personalized feedback on substance use and mental health outcomes in Veterans.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Personalized Approach to Healthy Use and Recovery (PATH) Trial
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Participants must be Veterans with substance use disorder (SUD)
- Current probable SUD indicated by clinical scores on AUDIT or DUDIT
- Substance use within the past month
- Reliable access to a smartphone, tablet, or similar device to complete surveys multiple times daily
- Not currently receiving inpatient treatment for substance use
You will not qualify if you...
- Being under the influence of substances that impair judgment at the time of consent (e.g., cannabis, alcohol, illicit opioids)
- Being legally required to complete treatment
- Being under civil commitment that limits autonomous consent
- Currently in inpatient treatment for substance use disorder
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants complete a personalized 4-week ecological momentary assessment (EMA) protocol measuring substance use disorder (SUD) and comorbid symptoms multiple times daily. Participants in the intervention group receive a personal causal model and a 1-hour live clinical feedback session to help apply insights to their recovery. Control group participants do not receive clinical feedback during this time.
Multiple daily surveys and 1 clinical feedback session (intervention group only)
Duration - Up to 12 weeks after treatment
Participants complete follow-up assessments at 4, 8, and 12 weeks to evaluate substance use, substance-related problems, and symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
3 follow-up visits
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55417-2309
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Brittany Stevenson, PhD
K
Kelvin O Lim, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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