Emotional Brain Training for Addiction
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether Emotional Brain Training (EBT) can help individuals with addiction manage stress and improve emotional health. EBT teaches participants to shift their mood from negative to positive and reduce cravings by rewiring unwanted brain circuits. The trial compares the effectiveness of EBT combined with standard addiction treatments, such as medication and counseling, against standard treatments alone. Suitable candidates include those with an addiction like opioid or alcohol use disorder who are in early remission, receive regular treatment at SAC Health, and have a reliable internet connection for participating in sessions. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative treatment options that could enhance the recovery journey.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not require you to stop taking your current medications. Participants will continue their standard treatments, including medications for addiction treatment, throughout the study.
What prior data suggests that Emotional Brain Training is safe for managing addiction-related stress and health problems?
Research has shown that Emotional Brain Training (EBT) manages stress and improves emotional well-being by altering brain function. This method helps individuals shift from negative to positive feelings. EBT is generally safe, as it teaches skills for managing emotions without medication.
However, like any program, it may not work for everyone. Some individuals might not find EBT helpful or could encounter difficulties if they have other psychological or medical issues. Consulting a healthcare provider about any concerns before starting a new treatment is always wise. Overall, EBT does not involve drugs and focuses on changing behavior, which usually results in fewer risks of side effects compared to treatments that use medication.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about Emotional Brain Training (EBT) for addiction because it offers a unique approach to emotional regulation and support. Unlike standard treatments that primarily use medications like buprenorphine and naltrexone, EBT focuses on daily exercises, peer connections, and online coursework to help individuals manage their emotions. This method stands out for its emphasis on building emotional resilience and fostering community support, which are not typically central features of current addiction therapies.
What evidence suggests that Emotional Brain Training is effective for managing addiction?
Research has shown that Emotional Brain Training (EBT), which participants in this trial may receive alongside Standard of Care (SOC), can help manage stress related to addiction and improve emotional well-being. Studies have found that EBT is more effective than some medications, such as naltrexone, in preventing relapse. In 14 small studies, EBT reduced depression and stress levels. It helps people change harmful brain patterns and better manage their emotions, leading to lasting improvements in mood and quality of life for those dealing with addiction.13678
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals struggling with various addictions, including opiate, substance use, alcoholism, nicotine addiction, and more. Participants must be receiving standard treatments at the Addiction Recovery Clinic in San Bernardino to qualify.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive Emotional Brain Training (EBT) plus Standard of Care (SOC) or SOC alone for 8 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in stress, anxiety, and cravings after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Emotional Brain Training
Trial Overview
The study tests Emotional Brain Training (EBT) alongside standard care versus standard care alone. EBT aims to manage stress and improve emotional health by rewiring brain circuits. The effectiveness will be measured over an 8-week period through online assessments.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
This group will receive all the components of SOC plus EBT counseling: A. The components below will be completed daily and is estimated to take 25 minutes: i. \[10 1-minute spiral ups (SU) - an EBT specific, app-directed methodology of emotional regulation\], plus; ii. 5 minutes via telephone for a group peer connection iii. 10 minutes online/phone app coursework/video B. Once a week: participants will participate in a 60 minute small-group telephone meeting for accountability and support C. Once a week: participants will participate in at least 3 30-minute Spiral Up (SU) groups/week to practice the skills. These are available online daily.
Participants will receive SOC, which includes medications for addiction therapy (MAT) (including but not limited to buprenorphine, naltrexone, bupropion, etc.) weekly counseling, and monthly clinic visits with addiction specialists.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Loma Linda University
Lead Sponsor
University of California, San Francisco
Collaborator
Social Action for Health
Collaborator
Citations
EMOTIONAL BRAIN TRAINING AND SUBSTANCE USE ...
Tool to turn negative emotions into positive emotions. Rewire core circuits and survival circuits.
The Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Training and ...
The data showed that emotion regulation training was more effective than cognitive therapy (P<0.05) and naltrexone (P<0.01) in relapse prevention. Findings show ...
Emotional Brain Training for Addiction Medicine Treatment
EBT effectiveness has been evaluated in 14 small studies, demonstrating improvements in psychological measures (such as depression, perceived stress, and self- ...
Emotional Brain Training for Addiction · Info for Participants
EBT aims to manage stress and improve emotional health by rewiring brain circuits. The effectiveness will be measured over an 8-week period through online ...
The Science
Mental illness and substance abuse affect 20 percent of Americans, and deaths by suicide have increased by about 30 percent since 1999. Despite spending ...
New York Times Bestselling Author
As with any skills training program, EBT is not without risk and may be unsafe or ineffective for some people. If you have any psychological or medical problems ...
AN INTEGRAL INQUIRY INTO THE RELATIONSHIP ...
This method has the capacity to reveal the cultural structures of the relationship between addiction and emotional intelligence in a particular EBT study group.
Emotional Brain Training (EBT) Offers Lasting Weight Loss ...
- Rewire the brain to prefer healthy foods over ultra-processed options. - Reduce healthcare costs linked to long-term drug dependence. "The ...
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