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What addiction treatment clinical trials are studying now
Brain stimulation. Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation, already cleared for smoking cessation, is in trials for alcohol use disorder at multiple US sites. Newer methods use weak electrical currents on the scalp or a technique called temporal interference to reach deeper brain regions without surgery.
Psychedelic assisted therapy. Psilocybin and ketamine, given in controlled sessions with therapy, are being compared head to head for alcohol use disorder. These are research treatments, not approved ones.
GLP-1 medicines. The drugs that changed obesity care appear to reduce cravings, and trials are testing them for alcohol and for smoking; see our smoking cessation trials page for the tirzepatide study.
Getting more out of approved medicines. Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone work for opioid use disorder, but only about 1 in 4 people who could benefit receive them. Trials test adding counseling and peer support, starting medicine in the emergency department, and keeping people engaged. See our buprenorphine and naltrexone pages.
Rewards for progress. Contingency management, small rewards for negative drug tests or attendance, has some of the strongest evidence in the field. Trials now test it in adolescents, through employment programs, and delivered by app.
Digital and remote care. The first prescription app for substance use disorder was cleared by the FDA in 2017. Newer studies test chatbots, telehealth counseling, and programs that reach people who live far from a clinic.
Looking for a specific substance use disorder trial?
Each substance has its own page with the medicines, the trials, and the questions specific to it: opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, cocaine use disorder, methamphetamine use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and nicotine addiction. This page covers the approaches that cut across them.
Who can participate in addiction treatment clinical trials?
Most treatment trials enroll adults who meet criteria for a specific substance use disorder and want to reduce or stop, confirmed at screening. Many require that you are not in another treatment study, and some require a stable dose of an approved medicine such as buprenorphine before adding the study treatment. Brain stimulation and psychedelic trials have extra safety rules, for example excluding people with seizures, certain heart conditions, or a history of psychosis. Adolescent studies enroll teenagers with a parent's consent. Observational studies often accept people at any stage, including those not seeking treatment. Eligibility always varies by study, and our guide explains how eligibility criteria work.
Is there a medicine for every addiction?
No. Approved medicines exist for opioid, alcohol, and nicotine use disorders. There is still no FDA approved medicine for cocaine or methamphetamine use disorder, which is why trials for stimulants are among the most important in the field.
Can I join a trial while on buprenorphine or methadone?
Often, yes. Many studies are designed for people already on these medicines and test what to add, such as counseling, peer support, or rewards for staying in care. Check each study's rules.
Safety, privacy, and what a trial cannot do
Trials are not a substitute for care in a crisis, and study teams will refer you to treatment if you need it now. Your information is protected by federal research privacy rules, and many addiction studies hold an extra federal certificate that shields your data from legal requests. A trial cannot promise you the active treatment, since most are randomized and some use placebo or sham stimulation. What it can offer is close monitoring, counseling for everyone enrolled, and access to approaches that are not yet available outside research.
Our guide to informed consent covers what to ask before you sign.
Is there compensation for taking part?
Some studies offer compensation for time and travel, and study treatment, counseling, and visits are typically provided at no cost as part of a clinical trial. Compensation varies by trial and is always described during the informed consent process before you agree to anything.
Curious whether clinical trials pay participants? Here's how compensation actually works.
How to enroll in a drug addiction clinical trial
Find your trial. Use the filters. Titles usually name the treatment: "Substance Use Disorder", "Opioid Use Disorder," "Cannabis Use Disorder," or "Cocaine Use Disorder".
Choose a location. Enter your city or state. Most dental studies run at one dental school or clinic and need several visits, so check the site address.
Read the study details. Click "Learn More" for the age range, the dental condition required, and how long follow up lasts, which for implants can be years.
Complete the health profile. Click "Get started" to begin the 5-step application. Have three things ready: which substance you want help with and how often you use it, any treatment or medicine you are on now, and other health conditions, especially heart, seizure, or mental health conditions.
Submit the application. A clinical trial coordinator reviews it and contacts you. Nothing is decided until you have gone through informed consent, and participation is voluntary at every step.