Emotional Brain Training for Addiction

Overseen By Lori D Karan, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Loma Linda University

Must be taking: Addiction treatment

Disqualifiers: Uncontrolled disorders, Substance not in remission, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

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. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why 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. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

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

Patient who receives regular MAT care at SAC Health

Patients who have regular and reliable cellular and/or reliable internet connection

Opioid use disorder, at least in early remission

Exclusion Criteria

Patients who do not seek regular MAT care at SAC Health

Patient does not speak or read English

Patients with inconsistent or no access to cellular or internet connection

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Emotional Brain Training (EBT) plus Standard of Care (SOC) or SOC alone for 8 weeks

8 weeks

Weekly counseling and monthly clinic visits; weekly EBT group sessions for EBT group

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in stress, anxiety, and cravings after treatment

4 weeks

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?

Group I: Emotional Brain Training (EBT) and Standard of Care (SOC) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

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.

Group II: Standard of Care (SOC) Active Control 1 Intervention

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.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Loma Linda University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

322

Recruited

267,000+

University of California, San Francisco

Collaborator

Trials

2,636

Recruited

19,080,000+

Social Action for Health

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

380+

Citations

1. ctnlibrary.org ctnlibrary.org/webinars/2015ebtsud.pdf

EMOTIONAL BRAIN TRAINING AND SUBSTANCE USE ... Tool to turn negative emotions into positive emotions. Rewire core circuits and survival circuits.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3430496/

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 ...

3. clinicaltrials.ucbraid.org clinicaltrials.ucbraid.org/trial/NCT07001371

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- ...

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-opioid-related-disorders-7-2025-a1703

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 ...

5. ebtconnect.net ebtconnect.net/science

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 ...

6. ebtconnect.net ebtconnect.net/SOS_book.pdf

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 ...

7. ebtconnect.net ebtconnect.net/kathleen_grillo.pdf

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.

8. fox21news.com fox21news.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/804571702/drug-free-obesity-breakthrough-emotional-brain-training-ebt-offers-lasting-weight-loss-by-rewiring-stress-response

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 ...