INTERVENTIONALNOT YET RECRUITINGNCT07001371

Emotional Brain Training for Addiction Medicine Treatment - A Pilot Study

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether Emotional Brain Training (EBT), a behavioral modification method, can help manage stress and health problems related to addiction. EBT teaches skills to deactivate harmful circuits (automatic reactions) and activate healing circuits to quickly shift mood from negative to positive. Participants in the EBT group will receive focused, intensive instruction on using these skills to rewire unwanted brain circuits, with the aim of achieving lasting improvements in emotional health and quality of life. The study will assess whether EBT is an effective tool when added to standard of care (SOC), which includes medications for addiction treatment (MAT). Researchers will compare changes in stress, anxiety, and cravings after 8 weeks of EBT plus SOC versus SOC alone. Participants: * will either continue receiving standard treatments (SOC) at the Addiction Recovery Clinic (ARC) at SAC Health in San Bernardino * or receive both EBT and SOC at ARC * in the SOC group will continue monthly visits at ARC and weekly counseling * in the EBT plus SOC group will continue monthly visits and weekly counseling at ARC, along with weekly EBT group sessions by telephone * will complete online assessments at weeks 0, 4, and 8 Upon completion of the study, all participants will resume SOC

Locally preserved from ClinicalTrials.govOpen ClinicalTrials.govlast source update 2026-04-23

What this record can show

Protocol only - no registry results posted

This locally preserved record separates the registered protocol from source-reported registry results. Neither is a treatment recommendation.

Registry facts

Study at a glance

Phase: NA
Enrollment: 54 (ESTIMATED)
Start date: 2026-08
Sponsor: Loma Linda University
Design: RANDOMIZED · PARALLEL · TREATMENT
Locations: 1
Results record: Not present in registry snapshot

Background Information and Rationale Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder defined by a persistent and intense urge to use a drug or engage in a behavior that produces a natural reward, despite significant harm and negative consequences. Repetitive substance use alters brain function, perpetuating craving and weakening self-control, while not completely negating it. Addiction is now recognized as a complex brain disorder influenced by both neurobiological and psychosocial factors. Effective treatment typically combines pharmacological approaches with behavioral interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, behavior modification strategies, twelve-step programs, and structured residential care. Emotional Brain Training (EBT) is a method of self-directed neuroplasticity targeting the neural root causes of addiction, rather than substituting one addiction for another. EBT addresses three primary brain-based contributors to addiction: 1. Replacing self-regulatory failure with optimal brain-based self-regulation, even under stress. 2. Rewiring maladaptive survival and core circuits to become stress resilient. 3. Raising the brain's physiological set point from allostatic to homeostatic, supporting adaptive lifestyle changes and reliance on natural rewards. The core therapeutic technique of EBT is a structured emotional resiliency process that rewires maladaptive circuits through: 1. Activation of stress-related survival circuits. 2. Emotional processing to shift circuits from allostatic to homeostatic states. 3. Conscious identification of maladaptive expectations. 4. Juxtaposition of adaptive expectations to promote circuit reconsolidation. 5. Delivery of a dopamine release to solidify the rewiring. This process, consistent with reconsolidation research, is repeated until maladaptive drives and responses are eliminated. EBT uniquely targets brain circuits that control physiology. The same set of skills is applied by clinicians, in peer-to-peer support, and through self-care with mobile app support, enhancing access and scalability. Delivery occurs through small group telephonic sessions using a confidential platform that fosters learning, community, and coaching. Group sessions are facilitated by licensed health professionals or certified coaches trained in personal and clinical EBT use. Emotional resiliency processes can be completed rapidly, ranging from two to three minutes for self-regulation to approximately twenty minutes for clinician-facilitated trauma rewiring. Practice is further reinforced through brief peer-to-peer sessions and mobile app exercises. EBT effectiveness has been evaluated in 14 small studies, demonstrating improvements in psychological measures (such as depression, perceived stress, and self-efficacy), behavioral outcomes (including reduced addictive behaviors and increased exercise), and physiological markers (such as blood pressure and BMI).

primary measures

Changes in Level of Stress at 8 weeks

Time frame: Change between baseline(time of study enrollment) and Study completion (8 weeks).

Level of stress will be measured by comparing scores from baseline to study completion. Responses will be collected using a 10-item survey assessing perceived stress, administered at enrollment and at eight weeks post-enrollment. Each item uses a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "Never" to "Very Often." Scores will be summed to create a composite stress score, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress. This measurement evaluates how often participants experience emotional and cognitive responses to stressors such as lack of control, feeling overwhelmed, or being unable to cope.

Changes of Level of Anxiety at 8 weeks

Time frame: Change between baseline(time of study enrollment) and Study completion (8 weeks).

Level of anxiety will be assessed using a standardized PROMIS anxiety scale. Participants will complete the survey at baseline and again at the end of the eight-week study period. The survey consists of 8 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale from "Never" to "Always." Items measure frequency of symptoms such as nervousness, tension, and difficulty concentrating due to anxiety. A composite score will be calculated, with higher values reflecting more severe anxiety symptoms.

Change in Levels of Cravings

Time frame: Change between baseline(time of study enrollment) and Study completion (8 weeks).

Level of cravings will be measured using selected items from the TAPS (Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance use) assessment tool. Participants will report frequency of use and urges related to substance use at baseline and again at the end of the eight-week period. Responses will be categorized to identify changes in craving intensity and frequency. Increased scores suggest more frequent or intense cravings, while lower scores indicate a reduction in craving-related behaviors or urges.

Emotional Brain Training for Addiction Medicine Treatment - A Pilot Study

Protocol only - no registry results posted

Study at a glance

Related local records

Conditions

Cannabinoids and active compounds

Medicines

What was registered