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ARRC Research Studies

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WELCOME!

We thank you for your interest in participating in ongoing research studies. Click the substances below to learn about relevant studies!

     

The Addiction Recovery Research Center at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC conducts human studies of addiction to target the impaired decision-making processes of people with addictive behaviors to understand their self-control deficits. Review our current studies to see if participation is appropriate for you.

Cocaine Studies

Do you or someone you know use cocaine?

Researchers at Virginia Tech are looking for individuals to participate in a groundbreaking research study on decision-making in adults who use cocaine.
(VT IRB #22-529)

The team at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Addiction Recovery Research Center thanks everyone who screened for and participated in this groundbreaking research study on decision-making in adults who use cocaine. Advances in substance use treatment depend on the interest and willingness of a large team to work together, and research participants are the most important members of this team!

Please visit quitandrecovery.org for additional opportunities to continue participating!

Smoking Studies

Do you smoke cigarettes?

(VT IRB #25-612)

To be eligible, you:
 
  • Must be 21 years or older
  • Smoke cigarettes
  • Cannot be pregnant or lactating

Participation involves:

  • 2 lab sessions, 1-2 hours each
  • 1 phone call session, about 15 minutes
  • Sampling tobacco products
  • Computerized assessments on decision-making
  • Not a treatment study

Compensation

  • •Session 1 (up to $40)
    • $10 for completion of the consent
    • $30 for completion of the assessments
  • Session 2 (up to $45)
    • $10 for sampling products
    • $35 for completion of the Experimental Tobacco Marketplace
  • Session 3 (up to $15)
    • $15 for the follow-up call
  • Total up to $100 and travel may be compensated

  Questions? 

Join a research study to understand decision-making and purchasing patterns with study-provided products

(VT IRB #25-813)

To be eligible, you:
 
  • Must be 21 years or older
  • Smoke cigarettes OR smoke cigarettes and vape
  • Cannot be pregnant or lactating

Participation involves:

  • 2 sessions, each approximately 2 hours
  • Sampling different cigarettes and vapes
  • Computerized surveys
  • Not a treatment study

Compensation

  • Session 1 (up to $25)
    • $10 for consent
    • $15 for completion of the assessments and ETM demo
  • Session 2 ($30)
    • $30 for completion of the Experimental Tobacco Marketplace session
  • Session 3 ($20)
    • $20 for completion of follow-up
  • Total up to $75 and travel may be compensated

  Questions? 

Alcohol Studies

Trying to stop heavy drinking?

Join our research study to help improve our understanding of decisions about alcohol.
(VT IRB #22-358)

The team at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Addiction Recovery Research Center thanks everyone who screened for and participated in this groundbreaking research study on decision-making in adults who use alcohol. Advances in substance use treatment depend on the interest and willingness of a large team to work together, and research participants are the most important members of this team!

Please visit quitandrecovery.org for additional opportunities to continue participating!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Research participants contribute to science and help scientists understand human health and decision-making. Volunteers also learn about the research process. Your willingness to participate is a testament to your commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and potentially improving the lives of millions of people with health problems.

  • Yes, all of the information you provide is confidential and will not be shared outside of the study teams. Your personal information will never be included in any research publications or during presentations of our studies.

  • ARRC is not a treatment facility. Some, though not all, of the studies involve testing behavioral interventions to help reduce alcohol or cocaine use.

  • Participation does not involve costs. Compensation is provided for each study. Additional compensation for travel time and/or bus fare are also provided and the study teams can organize Lyft/Uber rides if helpful.

  • Hourly compensation for travel time and/or bus fare will be provided and the study teams can organize Lyft/Uber rides if helpful.