Psychoeducation for Drug Addiction
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by a broad range of both apparent and subtle cognitive impairments in attention, memory, executive functions, and decision-making. These cognitive problems are clinically significant and may contribute to poor treatment outcomes in people with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), such as a high risk of dropout, low treatment compliance, and shorter periods of abstinence. Studies on cognitive function in SUDs reveal that chronic use of drugs and alcohol can also negatively affect another crucial component of cognition: awareness, or metacognition. Metacognition is defined as an individual's ability to perceive and understand their cognitive functions and use this understanding to regulate them. One of the key consequences of metacognitive impairments is the lack of insight in people with SUDs, which adversely affects treatment outcomes. Substance users with poor metacognition are more reluctant to initiate or continue treatment and are more likely to deny their cognitive problems. Therefore, improving metacognition may remove or reduce motivational barriers to invest time and effort in the recovery process in general, and in the brain recovery process specifically. Despite the importance of neurocognition and metacognition in the recovery process for substance users, there is a dearth of interventions designed to target these functions.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Jasmin Vassileva, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Virginia Commonwealth University
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals with opioid and/or stimulant use disorder who are currently on medication treatment for SUD. Participants must own a smartphone capable of using the NIPA app. People with current psychosis, mania, or suicidal/homicidal ideation, or those who do not speak English cannot join.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive the NIPA program, consisting of four 20-minute sessions administered a week apart, alongside treatment as usual (TAU)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Metacognium software app
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Virginia Commonwealth University
Lead Sponsor