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Recruiting NCT03696017

NCT03696017 Opioid/Benzodiazepine Polydrug Abuse

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT03696017
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor Wayne State University
Condition Polysubstance Abuse
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment 120 participants
Start Date 2019-02-08
Primary Completion 2026-12

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 70 Years
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Interventions
Multi-domain assessment battery

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

This is an observational study. You will not receive an experimental treatment; researchers will collect data based on your existing condition or standard treatment.

This trial targets 120 participants in total. It began in 2019-02-08 with a primary completion date of 2026-12.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

Benzodiazepine (BZD)/opioid polysubstance abuse (PSA) dramatically increases risks of overdose, disability and death; however, little is known about phenotypes that could be targeted to decrease this use and these associated risks. The opioid abuse epidemic is generating unprecedented numbers of overdoses (OD) and deaths from prescribed and illegal sources (e.g. fentanyl combined with, or sold as, heroin). Yet, medical and epidemiological data suggest these adverse outcomes are not solely due to over-consumption of opioids.The FDA recognizes the health danger of BZD/opioid PSA, and issued labeling changes for prescribing BZDs and opioids. Impact of these changes is unclear and could be minimal if people obtain these substances illegally. BZD abuse can be harmful alone or combined with opioids, as BZDs: (a) contribute to OD/death e.g. 31% of opioid OD-related deaths from 1999 to 2011 were related to coincident BZD use, BZD co-use is dose-dependently related to mortality and rates of BZD OD deaths have sharply increased. (b) exacerbate progression and adverse outcomes of opioid abuse. and (c) worsen behavioral impairment from opioids, increase rates of falls and fractures, motor vehicle accidents, and sleep-disordered breathing. There has been limited systematic research of BZD/opioid PSA. This is a major gap because BZD are often co-prescribed with opioids (in 33 to 50% of cases) and are easily obtained illegally. In response to these problems, there is an urgent need to obtain population-level, clinical pharmacology, and mechanistic data to test our unified hypothesis of dual-deficit in affective/hedonic regulation.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Recently admitted and/or not clinically stable in treatment for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in Wayne County * Using opioids, benzodiazepines (BZD), or BZD/opioid. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants with current psychosis, bipolar disorder, or severe depression (i.e. severe psychiatric disorder) * Individuals with serious neurological disorders, e.g. brain tumor, history of stroke, history of traumatic brain injury w/ loss of consciousness * Cognitive impairment (IQ\<80)

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Heidi Aguas

✉ gh7962@wayne.edu

📞 3139933960

Principal Investigator

Mark Greenwald, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Wayne State University

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT03696017 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 70 Years, studying Polysubstance Abuse. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT03696017 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT03696017 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at gh7962@wayne.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT03696017 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Detroit, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT03696017 clinical trial?

NCT03696017 is sponsored by Wayne State University. The principal investigator is Mark Greenwald, PhD at Wayne State University. The trial plans to enroll 120 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology