Center for Addiction Research

lab1Drug and alcohol use disorders are serious, complex health issues with negative consequences for individuals, families, and communities. The Center for Addiction Research (CAR) is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of these devastating disorders.

CAR has three primary goals: 1) improve the treatment of substance use disorders, 2) conduct innovative research on the psychological mechanisms underlying substance use disorders, and 3) educate the public, healthcare providers, and public policymakers on substance use disorders and their prevention and treatment. Ultimately, our mission is to improve prevention, early intervention, and treatment success of substance use disorders.

We believe substance use disorder research requires a multifaceted, translational, team science-based approach. CAR’s goals are being accomplished through cutting-edge clinical research, using pharmacological, behavioral and neurobiological tools, as well as through collaborations across UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare Administration, state agencies, community providers and colleagues at other institutions.

Our current research and educational priorities include:

  • Drug abuse liability assessment and human behavioral pharmacology
  • Medication research and development for addictive disorders
  • Elucidating neurobiological and neurocognitive factors that mediate substance use and/or relapse
  • Examining the impact of opioid medication treatment on sleep
  • Expanding opioid medication-assisted treatment and prevention strategies in Arkansas
  • Help guide prevention efforts in the state through data-driven decision-making and collaborations across various agencies and stakeholder groups

Some ongoing studies recruiting individuals with a personal history of addiction or drug use, and other studies are recruiting individuals who do not use drugs (please see click on the “Participate in Research” link if you are interested in participating in a research study).

Previous studies conducted in CAR have examined drugs and drug problems related to alcohol, marijuana/cannabis, nicotine/tobacco, opioids, stimulants, GHB, and sedative/hypnotics.