Greater Southern California Node of the Clinical Trials Network

University Of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract This study is part of the NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative to speed scientific solutions to the national opioid public health crisis. The NIH HEAL Initiative bolsters research across NIH to improve treatment for opioid misuse and addiction. The overarching goal of the Greater Southern California Node (GSCN) of the National Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network (CTN) is to expand access to and improve treatments for substance use disorders (SUDs) by developing and testing effective and sustainable interventions for SUDs and co-occurring mental health disorders (MHDs) that can be delivered in multiple healthcare settings. To achieve this goal and serve the CTN mission, the renewed GSCN will continue to expand our consortium of (1) local, regional, and statewide healthcare networks that serve millions of individuals, (2) clinical researchers with extensive experience developing and testing of behavioral and pharmacological interventions for SUDs and co-occurring MHDs, (3) multi-disciplinary researchers with expertise in implementation strategies, innovative technologies to support SUD treatment delivery, community-partnered research, and data science. Extending our past CTN research and ongoing CTN efforts, the specific aims of the GSCN are: Aim 1. Conduct rigorous research to develop and test interventions in order to improve SUD treatment access and outcomes; Aim 2. Support and participate in multi-site CTN projects and other CTN activities; Aim 3. Disseminate and translate research findings and provide innovative trainings in clinical research to clinicians, junior investigators, and students to impact clinical practice and improve SUD services and outcomes. The broad research agenda guiding GSCN efforts in the next seven years of the renewed Node will comprise four priority areas: (1) developing and testing pharmacotherapies and behavioral therapies for SUDs, focusing on opioid use disorder, stimulant use disorder, and co-occurring MHDs (e.g., anxiety, depression), emphasizing integrated treatments to address these co-occurring disorders, (2) developing and testing the efficacy and effectiveness of technologies relevant to SUD treatment, such as dHealth and telemedicine, (3) developing and testing interventions that address factors affecting treatment access and outcomes, and (4) applying implementation science to expand and adapt SUD treatments to facilitate their uptake in multiple healthcare settings. The GSCN is well positioned to collaboratively expand CTN efforts to develop and implement innovative approaches to improve treatment for SUDs and co-occurring MHDs, thereby increasing capacity to address the public health crisis of increased morbidity and mortality attributable to opioid and stimulant use disorders, and the escalating impacts of polysubstance use and comorbidities.