Stress and Opioid Misuse Risk: The Role of Endogenous Opioid and Endocannabinoid Mechanisms

Description

The purpose of this study is to see how stress influences the effects of opioid pain medications often used to help relieve back pain. The study will help to learn more about how high stress levels could increase risk for pain medication misuse.

Conditions

Opioid Use Disorder, Back Pain, Stress

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The purpose of this study is to see how stress influences the effects of opioid pain medications often used to help relieve back pain. The study will help to learn more about how high stress levels could increase risk for pain medication misuse.

Stress and Opioid Misuse Risk: The Role of Endogenous Opioid and Endocannabinoid Mechanisms

Stress and Opioid Misuse Risk: The Role of Endogenous Opioid and Endocannabinoid Mechanisms

Condition
Opioid Use Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Nashville

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37212

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Intact cognitive status and ability to provide informed consent
  • * Ability to read and write in English sufficiently to understand and complete study questionnaires (which are only validated in English)
  • * Age 18 or older And
  • * Presence of persistent daily low back pain of at least three months duration and of at least a 3/10 in average intensity
  • * History of renal or hepatic dysfunction
  • * Reports of current or past alcohol or substance abuse or treatment for such condition
  • * A reported history of PTSD, psychotic, or bipolar disorders
  • * Chronic pain due to malignancy (e.g., cancer) or autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
  • * Reports of recent benzodiazepine use (confirmed via rapid urine screening prior to each lab session)
  • * Any medical conditions (e.g., significant cardiovascular disease) that the study physician feels would contraindicate participation in the lab stressors
  • * Reported daily opiate use within the past 6 months, or use of any opioid analgesic medications within 3 days of study participation (confirmed through rapid urine screening prior to each lab session)
  • * Pregnancy (females only, to avoid fetal drug exposure - pregnancy tests conducted prior to each lab session to confirm eligibility)
  • * Prior allergic reaction/intolerance to oxycodone or its analogs

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Vanderbilt University Medical Center,

Stephen Bruehl, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Study Record Dates

2026-03-24