Emotional Brain Training for Addiction Medicine Treatment - A Pilot Study (NCT07001371) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Emotional Brain Training for Addiction Medicine Treatment - A Pilot Study
United States54 participantsStarted 2026-08
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether Emotional Brain Training (EBT), a behavioral modification method, can help manage stress and health problems related to addiction. EBT teaches skills to deactivate harmful circuits (automatic reactions) and activate healing circuits to quickly shift mood from negative to positive. Participants in the EBT group will receive focused, intensive instruction on using these skills to rewire unwanted brain circuits, with the aim of achieving lasting improvements in emotional health and quality of life. The study will assess whether EBT is an effective tool when added to standard of care (SOC), which includes medications for addiction treatment (MAT).
Researchers will compare changes in stress, anxiety, and cravings after 8 weeks of EBT plus SOC versus SOC alone.
Participants:
* will either continue receiving standard treatments (SOC) at the Addiction Recovery Clinic (ARC) at SAC Health in San Bernardino
* or receive both EBT and SOC at ARC
* in the SOC group will continue monthly visits at ARC and weekly counseling
* in the EBT plus SOC group will continue monthly visits and weekly counseling at ARC, along with weekly EBT group sessions by telephone
* will complete online assessments at weeks 0, 4, and 8 Upon completion of the study, all participants will resume SOC
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 18 years old or older
* Patient can speak and read English
* Patient who receives regular MAT care at SAC Health
* Patients who have regular and reliable cellular and/or reliable internet connection
* Patients who are willing to spend average of 25 minutes per day and attend weekly group meetings
* Patients willing to actively participate in group sessions
* Opioid use disorder, at least in early remission
* Alcohol use disorder, at least in early remission
* Methamphetamine use disorder, at least in early remission
* Cocaine use disorder, at least in early remission
* Anxiolytic use disorder, at least in early remission
* Cannabis use disorder
* Tobacco use disorder
Exclusion Criteria:
* Age \<18 years old
* Patient does not speak or read English
* Patients who do not seek regular MAT care at SAC Health
* Patients with inconsistent or no access to cellular or internet connection
* Any disorder that is uncontrolled
* Any substance use disorder not in at least early remission
* Any patient with complications related to use disorder
* Patients enrolled in the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission patients a part of SAC Health
* Anyone who, in the opinion of the investigators, would be unable to participate in an 8-week trial
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Changes in Level of Stress at 8 weeks
Timeframe: Change between baseline(time of study enrollment) and Study completion (8 weeks).
2
Changes of Level of Anxiety at 8 weeks
Timeframe: Change between baseline(time of study enrollment) and Study completion (8 weeks).
3
Change in Levels of Cravings
Timeframe: Change between baseline(time of study enrollment) and Study completion (8 weeks).