Research

ADVANCED RECOVERY INSTITUTE |  RESEARCH

OVERVIEW

Through partnerships with clinical and institutional research scientists and other subject matter experts at universities and national research organizations in the United States and worldwide, Root Center for Advanced Recovery can ask questions that lead to increasingly effective methods of addressing addiction, from prevention to treatment to lifelong recovery.


As the field of mental health and addiction treatment continues to change and evolve, it’s important that clinical professionals remain up-to-date on research findings and data trends regarding patient outcomes and evidence-based practices. Root Center believes in the power of a research-driven approach to care and in so relies on clinical data including our very own research endeavors to continuously enhance our clinical practices.


Root Center is committed to engaging in research studies that drive the field of addiction treatment forward. It is our hope that these studies will identify possible trends and patterns that may contribute to future best practices for clinical professionals within Root Center and beyond.

ADVANCED RECOVERY INSTITUTE |  RESEARCH

OUR RESEARCH COMMITMENTS

The Root Center Research Initiative is dedicated to improving prevention, treatment, and recovery by:

  • Collaborating with universities, research centers, and national health organizations
  • Communicating scientific findings both internally and publicly
  • Conducting independent data review, analysis, and reporting

The Root Center Research Initiative is unique because it is working to generate the internal resources and infrastructure required to not only keep up to date with current scientific literature but also to:

  • Participate in scientific research
  • Engage patients in cutting edge treatment strategies
  • Manage institutional data operations
  • Assess patient treatment outcomes
  • Report relevant scientific information (and recommendations for implementation) to its clinical staff


ADVANCED RECOVERY INSTITUTE |  RESEARCH

CURRENT RESEARCH STUDIES

The Root Center’s Advanced Recovery Institute currently supports research efforts both by providing grants as well as by participating in research programs run by partners. Learn about our current research involvement by clicking on the study links below:

Root Center and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Study

August 29, 2023
The Root Center is working with Dr. Vaughn Steele for the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Study. TMS, short for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is a treatment that applies a series of magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in areas of the brain known to be associated with major depression. During TMS, pictures related to substance use such as pill bottles and syringes are displayed while a scientist applies magnetic pulses. The participant is encouraged to reflect on the negative experiences of their addiction. The hope is that the part of the brain that controls pleasure-seeking behavior will get rewired in ways that ultimately alleviate cravings and strengthen self-control after undergoing the series of pulses. With the pairing of repetitive TMS treatments (rTMS) and the use of brain imaging such as MRIs, Dr. Steele, and his research team at Yale hope to bring more understanding and evidence to the usage of TMS as a strong treatment modality that can change addictive behavior in OUD recovery.

Root Center and Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) Study

August 25, 2023
The Root Center is working with Dr. Sheila Alessi , from UConn Health, for the PEth study. Peth is an abbreviation for Phosphatidylethanol, which is a direct biomarker of alcohol that can detect moderate to heavy drinking with high sensitivity and specificity over three week periods.  This study evaluates the efficacy of contingency management, an evidence-based treatment that provides motivational incentives to those living with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), to help support their path to recovery. The research team specifically focuses on the improvement of the application of this treatment, with the overall goal of a reduction in drinking alcohol for those who utilize contingency management in their care. This will help to better the understand the impact that contingency management has on a patient’s care versus the usage of standard care.

Root Center and Parenting in the Pandemic Study (PIPS)

August 15, 2023
The Root Center is working with Dr. Margaret Briggs-Gowan and Dr. Damion Grasso, from UConn Health, for the Parenting in the Pandemic Study (PIPS).

Root Center and the Health and Function After 50 study

August 15, 2023
The Root Center is working with Dr. Lisa Barry and Dr. Kristyn Zajac, from UConn Health, to determine if conditions that are common in older people may help to identify who may be a higher risk of dropping out of treatment for a Substance Use Disorder.

Root Center and The EMPOWER Study, HIV Testing

August 15, 2023
The Root Center is collaborating with Dr. Kristyn Zajac, from UConn Health for the EMPOWER Study.

Root and the P2P (Peer to Peer) Study

August 1, 2023
The Root Center is working with Dr. Margaret Briggs-Gowan and Dr. Damion Grasso, from UConn Health, for the Parenting in the Pandemic Study (PIPS).

Root Collaborates with UCONN to Study Children’s Neural Threat Reactivity

July 31, 2023
The ARCS focuses on studying family stressors and their relationship to child neural threat reactivity to better understand children’s clinical vulnerability to psychiatric impairment in their lifetime.

Root Collaborates with Yale Child Study Center to Research the Impacts of Maternal Psychosocial and Parenting Stress on MAT Outcomes

July 31, 2023
POD study focuses on assessment of maternal psychosocial stress and maternal tolerance of infant distress alongside cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

ARI issues $100,000 Grant to Fund Youth Opioid Overdose Study | FIRST Ever Root Center Research Grant Recipient Selected

April 18, 2023
We offer training and educational opportunities for both medical school students and undergraduates in programs including nursing, health studies, social work and counseling.
Share by: