HABITS Study (Helping Addiction by Individualized Therapeutic Stimulation): Pilot Trial of Deep Brain Stimulation Guided By Stereoelectroencephalography for Treatment-Refractory Substance Use Disorders (NCT06973512)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Substance use disorder (SUD) or addiction to drugs/alcohol is a devastating disease. Over 40,000 overdose deaths have happened in Canada since 2016, 1 in 5 Canadians will have a SUD, and 70% of those with SUD continue to relapse, showing that we urgently need new treatments. The Helping Addiction by Individualized Therapeutic Stimulation (HABITS) Study is exploring deep brain stimulation (DBS) for people who have failed to quit harmful substances. Over 250,000 people have received DBS, which is well-established for Parkinson's disease and has evidence of success in major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. DBS uses electricity to directly stimulate areas of the brain. However, for DBS to work effectively, it needs to be personalized to each individual, which will be pursued through stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). DBS and SEEG are minimally invasive and reversible, with a low risk of side effects. SEEG started over 70 years ago to find seizure location in the brain of children and adults with epilepsy. It now has been used for major depression and chronic pain to guide DBS. It involves inserting electrodes temporarily across critical brain areas and monitoring patients for several days. SEEG can provide an understanding of where addiction and craving are in the brain to guide the placement of DBS electrodes and device settings that are optimal for a person. In the HABITS Study, 10 participants will receive DBS guided by SEEG and undergo 11 study visits. Individuals will first undergo detoxification with CAMH. Then, they will receive DBS and SEEG at Toronto Western Hospital, where they will stay for 1 to 2 weeks. Finally, they will be followed for a year, where they will receive standard psychiatric care. SUD causes heavy burdens on individuals, families, healthcare systems, and society. The HABITS Study promises to personalize DBS to treat those who are struggling with severe addiction.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (7 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (6 items).
Location: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health / Toronto Western Hospital — Toronto, Ontario
Age range: 25 Years to 65 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Contraindications to neurosurgical interventions such as major medical co-morbidities, including uncontrolled hypertension, coagulopathy, severe diabetes, major organ system failure, active infection or history of implant-related infections, immunocompromised state, or malignancy with \<5 years life expectancy
- Contraindications for MRI, including implanted metallic devices (e.g., non-MRI-safe cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator; some artificial joints metal pins; surgical clips; or other implanted metal parts), or claustrophobia or discomfort in confined spaces
- Cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator, or other implanted stimulator
- Presence of epilepsy, stroke, or degenerative disorder of the nervous system
- Serious problems with literacy, vision, or hearing
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health / Toronto Western Hospital — Toronto, Ontario
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (416) 535-8501
Email: Victor.Tang@camh.ca
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
- 💵 Compensation indicated: In the HABITS Study, 10 participants will receive DBS guided by SEEG and undergo 11 study visits.
More studies in Addiction
- Breathwork-assisted Treatment for Cannabis Use Disorder — New York, New York
- Semaglutide Therapy for Alcohol Reduction (STAR) — Baltimore, Maryland
Explore by condition: All Addiction clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.