Current Projects and Studies

A Puff Topography Biofeedback Paradigm to Reduce Stress Precipitated Smoking Reinforcement (R21DA052723) 

MPIs: Teresa Leyro / Samantha Farris 
Co-Investigator: Marc L. Steinberg 

The goal of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of a novel puff topography biofeedbackparadigm informed by autonomic psychophysiology to attenuate stress-precipitated smoking reinforcement in emotionally vulnerable smokers. 

Status: Recruiting (Click for flyer)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Smartphone app to examine effects of cannabis use on driving behavior. (R21DA054614) 

MPIs: Tammy Chung / Yingying Chen 
Co-Investigator: Marc L. Steinberg 

This exploratory study combines innovative smartphone monitoring of driving behavior with daily data collection (self-report, saliva sample) to examine effects of cannabis on driving behavior in real-world conditions among medical cannabis patients. The project focuses on medical cannabis patients due, in part, to greater access to information on cannabis content based on product labeling (THC, CBD). Study results have important public health implications for guiding efforts to prevent driving under the influence of cannabis. 

Status: Not yet recruiting

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OOPN

PI: Nina Cooperman, Psy.D.

Funded by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Health, the Opioid Overdose Prevention Network (OOPN) initiative receives real-time, statewide information about drug overdoses from the state’s police fusion center. The purpose of this project is to distribute naloxone to communities and train community members on recognizing opioid overdose, rescue breathing, and naloxone administration.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NIDA R01 DA056537

PI: Nina Cooperman, Psy.D.

Implementation and Effectiveness of Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement as an Adjunct to Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. The purpose of this project is to evaluate mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement effectiveness and implementation strategies for chronic pain and opioid use in methadone treatment.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NIDA R01 DA057631

PI: Nina Cooperman, Psy.D.

Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Tobacco Dependence and Other Drug use in Methadone Treatment. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of motivational-interviewing and mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement for opioids, tobacco, and other drug use in methadone treatment.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Jersey Household Survey of Drug Use and Health and Family of Studies.

PI: Anna Kline, Ph.D.

This NJ Department of Health funded grant includes funding for the following five studies: 1. Statewide epidemiological telephone survey of substance use and abuse among New Jersey residents, 2. Risk factors for opioid overdose, 3. Factors affecting community re-entry among prisoners with substance abuse problems, 4. Use and misuse of opioid pain medication by student athletes, 5. Medical and recreational marijuana use in New Jersey.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement in Methadone Treatment for Chronic Pain Management and Opioid Use (NCCIH, R21/33)

PI: Nina Cooperman, Psy.D.
Co-PI: Anna Kline, Ph.D.



Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is the most effective intervention for an opioid use disorder (OUD), and methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is the most commonly prescribed MAT; however, approximately half of people who begin MMT discontinue within a year, and half of people retained in MMT have an opioid relapse within six months. Chronic pain, affecting most people on MMT, could be contributing to relapse in this group. Novel behavioral interventions that address both chronic pain and opioid relapse among people on MAT are needed. This study, funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), aims to evaluate the impact of a novel intervention, Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), on opioid use and chronic pain among individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). This study involves a 2-arm individually randomized controlled trial design that compares MORE and MMT as usual (TAU) among people with chronic pain and in MMT.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Emergency Department Peer Recovery Support for Opioid Overdose Survivors

PI: Nina Cooperman, Psy.D.
Co-Investigator: Anna Kline, Ph.D.


In response to the national opioid epidemic, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provided funding to states for opioid prevention and treatment, with an emphasis on enhancing access of people with an opioid use disorder to medication assisted treatment (MAT; i.e., standard of care treatment). The NJ Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) leveraged this funding to expand its peer support program, an innovative emergency department (ED)-based program that employs people in recovery to engage overdose survivors in MAT and other services. Although ED-based peer recovery programs are becoming widely implemented nationally, there have been no formal evaluations of their effectiveness.  This study was funded by Arnold Ventures to evaluate the effectiveness of peer recovery support and other ED-based programs in New Jersey in terms of preventing overdoses and facilitating the entry of people with an opioid use disorder to MAT and other treatment. This evaluation is taking place at hospitals throughout the state.
      This study is funded by the John and Laura Arnold Foundation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Preventing Suicide in Military Veterans (HSR&D IIR 12-134-3)

PI: Alejandro Interian, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator: Anna Kline, Ph.D.


This is a Veterans Administration funded study.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Continuation and Analysis of Enhanced Tobacco Use Measures and Intensive Training in New York

PI: Jill M Williams, MD

Funding Agency: Pfizer Inc. 

This is a data analysis project to analyze tobacco use measures in a large statewide database. No subject are being recruited.  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Online Residency Training in Tobacco Use Disorders.   

PI: Jill M Williams, MD

Funding Agency: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
 
This project develops and tests an online curriculum on Tobacco Use Disorders developed specifically for psychiatry residents. The study is complete and results are currently being analyzed.  No subject are being recruited.  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NYC Behavioral Health Tobacco Cessation Training and Implementation Center Proposal

PI:  Nancy Covell, PhD
Co-I:  Jill M Williams, MD
 
Funding Agency: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
 
This project provides training and technical assistance on Tobacco Use to Behavioral Heatth clinical practice sites in New York City.