Step 1: Talk With Your Current Health Care Provider

Before you search online, it helps to start with:

• Your primary care provider
• An addiction specialist
• A counselor or therapist you trust

They may know about local or regional studies and can help you understand whether a trial is appropriate given your health, medications, and goals. They can also review any studies you find.

Step 2: Use Trusted Trial Registries and Academic Centers

Find a suitable clinical trial for your participation.

To search on your own, focus on reputable sources, such as:

• Large research hospitals and universities, such as the Mayo Clinic
• Established addiction treatment centers
• National or government-sponsored clinical trial registries
• The clinical trial database at CareHealthSource.com

These sites typically list:

• The condition being studied
• The treatment being tested
• Eligibility criteria
• Locations and contact information for study teams

You can often filter by condition (for example, opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, or stimulant use disorder) and by location.

Step 3: Check the Basics of the Study

When you find a possible trial, here are the key elements to consider:

• A clear description of the purpose: What question is the trial trying to answer?
• Defined treatments and procedures: What will participants actually receive or do?
• Eligibility criteria: Who can and cannot join?
• Time commitment: How long the trial lasts and how many visits are required.
• Contact information: Phone number and email for the research team.

Legitimate trials provide enough detail for you to understand the basics before you get on the phone with a representative.

Step 4: Watch Out for Red Flags

If you see an advertisement, be cautious about ads promising guaranteed cures or “miracle” treatments. Avoid programs that require a large upfront payment for “research” care. Use discernment for programs that are vague about who is running the trial or where it takes place.

Don't succumb to pressure to join quickly without time to read consent forms or talk to others. Do not accept a lack of information about risks, side effects, or alternatives.

If something feels off, or "too good to be true," take a step back, ask more questions, or walk away. If needed, have a trusted person help you.

Step 5: Understand Informed Consent and Your Rights

Before joining a clinical trial, you should receive an informed consent document that explains:

• The purpose of the study.
• The treatments or procedures involved.
• Possible risks and benefits.
• How your information will be kept private.
• You have the right to leave the trial at any time.

Take time to read this document carefully. You can ask the study team to explain anything that is not clear. Take the document home to discuss with family, friends, or your health care provider before deciding on your participation.

Step 6: Consider Practical Issues

Think about how the trial fits into your life and understand these issues:

• Will you need to travel often? If so, is transportation or lodging help available?
• How will visits fit around work, school, or family responsibilities?
• Will you be compensated for your time or expenses?
• Are you comfortable with the types of tests or procedures involved (such as blood draws, urine tests, or digital tracking)?

A good study team will talk with you about the logistical challenges rather than focusing only on the benefits.

Step 7: Fit the Clinical Trial Into Your Bigger Recovery Plan

A clinical trial is only one portion of your recovery efforts. Make sure you know:

• What other treatments can you continue (counseling, mutual-help groups, medication, etc.) while undergoing the clinical trial?
• In the circumstances of a crisis, who will be your main point of contact outside the trial?
• What options will you have when the clinical trial ends?

If a trial does not fit well with your goals or daily life, it is okay to say no. Standard treatments may still be effective.

Questions to Ask the Research Team

To make an informed decision, you might ask:

• Who is sponsoring and supervising this trial?
• What do you already know about this treatment from earlier studies?
• How will you keep me safe if I struggle or return to substance use?
• What happens if I want to stop being in the trial?
• How will I learn about the results when the study is finished?

By using trusted information sources, having open and honest conversations with a clear understanding of your rights, you can explore substance-use disorder clinical trials in a way that supports your safety and recovery.

Search the clinical trial database at CareHealthSource.com to find a clinical trial near you.