Center for Addiction Research

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The UAMS Center for Addiction Research (CAR) is a multidisciplinary network of addiction researchers spanning divisions, departments, colleges, and institutions. CAR’s primary mission is twofold: 1) to deepen our understanding of, and develop better interventions for, the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs); and 2) to utilize the highest quality evidence to inform policy, education, and clinical practice related to SUDs.

CAR’s overarching vision is to advance the addiction research enterprise at UAMS in order to enhance our understanding of addictive processes and consequences, enhance the effectiveness of SUD prevention efforts, and optimize strategies for the treatment, harm reduction and long-term recovery for individuals with SUDs, in order to inform policy, education and clinical practices. To achieve this vision, CAR is committed to the following activities:

  • Foster career development of junior faculty and trainees
  • Encourage multi-disciplinary, cross-campus/institution collaborations
  • Support members in their respective research activities to expand and sustain the addiction research portfolio at UAMS and other affiliated institutions
  • Develop addiction research infrastructure through programmatic funding
  • Positively impact SUD policy, education and clinical practice

CAR member expertise spans clinical, education and research missions and translational spectrum and includes behavioral pharmacology, pharmacology, toxicology, and neuroscience, drug development, prenatal */drug use, opioid and cannabinoid receptor pharmacology, child neurodevelopment, digital app development, phase I and II clinical trials, qualitative/ quantitative research, neuroimaging/sleep, cognitive neuroscience, tobacco/health disparities, tobacco regulatory science, child and adult addiction psychiatry, emergency medicine, public health, and epidemiology. The primary substances studied are opioids, non-prescribed psycho-stimulants, and tobacco/cannabis, all of which are major public health problems in Arkansas. CAR members meet monthly to discuss science and funding opportunities, spark collaborations, generate and critique research grant ideas, and review journal articles, with subgroups meeting more frequently around specific projects. In addition, CAR invites others engaged in addiction-related research (but not formal members) to participate and collaborate according to their interest, expertise, and availability.