Couples' Substance Use Research Study
Researchers at the University of North Carolina are conducting a research study to find out if couple’s therapy program is helpful to couples in which both partners use substances and want to reduce their substance use together.
Fast Facts
You and Your Partner Both Drink Alcohol or Use Substances
Both Partners Interested in Reducing your Substance Use
Ages 21+
Compensation Provided
Conducted in
Chapel Hill, NC
Study Background
This treatment combines couples therapy and substance use treatment to provide a weekly, 12-session therapy program that helps couples work as a team around their substance use and build long-lasting ways to meaningfully experience life together.
This study is being conducted to test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel couples-based therapy for couples where both partners want to work on their substance use, and the initial efficacy of this intervention in reducing their substance use, improving relationship functioning, and shifting time spent around substance use toward values-based alternatives. This study involves 3 months of weekly couple’s therapy.
Participation also includes 3 study visits (one before therapy begins, one after the last therapy session, and a follow-up assessment 1-month after the last therapy session).
Join our compensated study with your partner today!
If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject you may contact the UNC-CH Institutional Review Board at 919-966-3113 or IRB_subjects@unc.edu.
Study Background
This treatment combines couples therapy and substance use treatment to provide a weekly, 12-session therapy program that helps couples work as a team around their substance use and build long-lasting ways to meaningfully experience life together.
This study is being conducted to test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel couples-based therapy for couples where both partners want to work on their substance use, and the initial efficacy of this intervention in reducing their substance use, improving relationship functioning, and shifting time spent around substance use toward values-based alternatives. This study involves 3 months of weekly couple’s therapy.
Participation also includes 3 study visits (one before therapy begins, one after the last therapy session, and a follow-up assessment 1-month after the last therapy session).
Join our compensated study with your partner today!
If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject you may contact the UNC-CH Institutional Review Board at 919-966-3113 or IRB_subjects@unc.edu.
Additional Information
In this study, researchers at the University of North Carolina want to find out if a new treatment is helpful to couples in which both partners use substances and want to reduce their substance use together.
You may qualify for a study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
Ages 21+
You and your partner both drink alcohol or use substances and are interested in reducing your substance use
In a committed (>6 months) relationship
Living with your partner
Neither you or partner are in substance use treatment
Not in couples therapy
- This study involves 3 months of weekly couple’s therapy.
- Over the course of therapy, participation also involves weekly home practice and electronic surveys. Couples have the option of remote therapy and research visits if couples are unable to come in person due to transportation or scheduling issues, or due to proximity issues to the clinic.
- Participation also includes 3 study visits (one before therapy begins, one after the last therapy session, and a follow-up assessment 1-month after the last therapy session).
- At each visit, you will fill out electronic and interview-based questionnaires with a member of the study team.
Each couple is eligible to earn up to $256 in compensation ($128/partner).
- Each partner is able to earn $30 for each of the three main study visits
- $2 for each weekly survey completed
- $10 for completed surveys at the 4- and 8-week mark in therapy
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
