Family Recovery Research Program

Active Research Studies

Family and Couples Research Studies

BFIT Study

The B-FIT study is recruiting veterans and a designated treatment companion (partner, family member or friend). Veterans must drink alcohol. The study includes 12 talk therapy sessions focused on alcohol reduction, plus the possibility of 3 talk therapy sessions with a family member or partner. Compensation is provided and the study is completed fully through telehealth. Information is kept strictly confidential.

For more information, please contact Alex Hannegan
Phone: 843-792-0608
Email: hannegan@musc.edu

CARE Study

The CARE Couples Study is recruiting couples who experience relationship conflict and drink alcohol. The study consists of 2 appointments – once of which is done in a lab setting where alcohol is consumed. Partners will play a computer game against each other. Compensation is provided. Information is kept strictly confidential.

For more information, please contact Sullivan Williams
Phone: 854-202-2752
Email: willisul@musc.edu

START Study

The START Couples Study is recruiting couples who drink alcohol and experience couple conflict. The study involves testing a smartwatch, breathing exercise and a mobile app. Both members of the couple must be willing to participate in order to be eligible. Couples will be compensated for their time. Information is kept strictly confidential.

For more information, please contact Research Assistant Morgan Thomas

Phone: 843-977-2026
Email: thomamor@musc.edu

HEART Study

The HEART Couples Study is a treatment study for couples who drink alcohol. The research study involves 12 sessions of talk therapy focused on couples’ relationships and alcohol use. Couples are also randomized to receive intranasal oxytocin or placebo.

This study has completed recruitment and is in the follow up phase only!

For more information, please contact Research Assistant Morgan Thomas

Phone: 843-977-2026
Email: thomamor@musc.edu

PTSD/Trauma and Alcohol Research Studies

POET Study

Photo of depressed veteran with head in his hands

The POET Study is recruiting veterans between the ages of 18 to 70 years old with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The study involves 10 weekly therapy sessions for PTSD, in combination with an investigational medication (Oxytocin) or inactive placebo.

For more information, please contact:

Study Coordinator: Chris DeLeon
- Phone: 843-259-2857
- Email: deleonc@musc.edu

Investigators

Julianne Flanagan, Ph.D.

Dr. Flanagan's program of research focuses on the relationships between post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, and interpersonal violence. She is currently conducting laboratory and treatment development studies aimed at better understanding behavioral and neurobiological underpinnings of violence among individuals and couples. She is also conducting studies examining behavioral and pharmacological interventions to mitigate these commonly co-occurring problems.

Elizabeth Santa Ana, Ph.D.

Dr. Santa Ana is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC and the Evidence-Based Training Coordinator for the VISN 7 Homeless Program at the Department of Veterans Affairs. She is a core investigator within the Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center (HEROIC) at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and she collaborates with other MUSC faculty in Psychiatry on projects involving PTSD, substance use disorder, relapse prevention, and chronic pain for patients with substance use and other co-existing disorders.

Shannon Forkus, Ph.D.

Sarah Giff, Ph.D.

Study Therapists

Abbie Bruner, MA, LPC-A

Study Personnel

Anjinetta Johnson, PAC.

Anjinetta graduated from MUSC's Physician's Assistant Program in 2001. She has been involved in behavioral health research since 2010 in the role of Medical Clinician for Research Studies. She performs history and physical exams on research participants to help determine if they are healthy enough to be a part of the study. She also dispenses study medications, and monitors and follows up on study-related adverse events.

Chris DeLeon, BS

Chris is a Program Coordinator for the POET Study. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Coastal Carolina University. He was previously a research assistant on a study investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness in Veterans with substance use disorders (SUD).

Sullivan Williams

Sullivan is a Program Assistant on the Couples Team in the Flanagan lab and is currently running the K24 study. Sullivan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Psychology from Gettysburg College in 2023.

Morgan Thomas

Morgan Thomas is a Program Assistant on the Couples team at MUSC. Morgan is currently running the START & HEART studies which investigate substance use and couple interactions. Morgan graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Alex Hannegan

Amanda Westbrook

Amanda Westbrook is a Program Assistant in the IMPACT lab working on both the POET study and Back’s Cognitive Processing Therapy + Relapse Prevention intervention aimed at reducing alcohol use and PTSD severity among individuals with co-occurring AUD/PTSD She received her Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in April of 2023. Amanda is interested in studying Substance Use Disorder with a focus on opiate addiction and treatment.

Back-Flanagan Group Program Manager

Stacey Sellers, MS

Stacey is the Program Manager for the group. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Neuroscience from the College of Charleston and her Masters of Clinical and Translational Science from Creighton University. She has worked in research at MUSC and Creighton University for over 15 years, focusing her work on the treatment of substance use disorders.