Oral

The CTN performs multi-site effectiveness trials in community practices that quickly bring new treatments to the final stage—implementation--of translational research. Adoption by practitioners of new approaches to drug abuse treatment, including HIV prevention, is a key to success for the CTN. To emphasize implementation, NIDA partners with SAMHSA to create “Blending Products” from trial results, and give practitioners tangible tools for use in their day-to-day treatment approaches. Currently six products are available, and more are in planning stages. Because the CTN selects trials that have practical interest to community treatment, several trials have addressed special populations. One example is a trial of women with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder. The trial more clearly defined subpopulations that respond differently to treatments. Use of contingency management or motivational incentives is a promising treatment, but implementation is challenging. CTN investigators are providing important approaches for including this methodology into practices. Drug use, whether by injection or other routes, is a risk factor for HIV/AIDS. The CDC recommends rapid testing without counseling to be available throughout the medical and psychological treatment fields, including substance use treatment. A CTN trial directly addressed the best approach to bring HIV testing into SUD practices.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe the translational research activities of the NIDA Clinical Trials Network, particularly those done in partnership with SAMHSA 2. Discuss examples of bringing contingency management/motivational incentives into substance use practices. 3. Discuss approaches to treating PTSD in substance use practices.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)