Frequently Asked Questions

The Pacific Treatment and Research Center (Pac-TARC) at UC San Diego is dedicated to conducting innovative clinical research on alcohol, tobacco, and stimulant use disorders. Our research focuses on understanding the causes of these conditions and developing effective treatments to help combat them.

Pac-TARC is affiliated with UC San Diego Health Sciences. For our full address and directions, please visit our Contact Us page.

Our studies are conducted by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians at UC San Diego. Please visit the Meet Our Team page to learn more about the people behind our research.

A clinical trial is a research study that uses human volunteers to answer specific health questions. Carefully conducted clinical trials offer an efficient and safe way to find treatments that work in people and improve health. For more information on clinical trials click here.

Participation is unique to each study. Your study visits may include questionnaires, interviews, vital signs, and biospecimen collection, such as blood and urine samples. Before enrolling, our research team will explain what your participation involves and answer any questions you may have.

Each study has specific eligibility requirements. If you are interested in participating, our research team will conduct an initial screening call to review your information and determine whether you may be eligible for an in-person screening visit. During the call, we will ask questions about your tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use, as well as your health, including current or past illnesses and any medications you are taking.

Although each study is different, our research team will walk you through the screening process and explain what to expect. We will review the consent form with you, answer your questions, and ask you to complete questionnaires and participate in an interview about your health, psychological symptoms, and substance use history. Depending on the study, screening may also include a breath alcohol test and urine drug screen. For all of our studies, your Breath Alcohol Content must be 0.000 at the screening visit to ensure you are able to provide informed consent.

We take your privacy seriously. Any information you provide during your participation will be kept confidential and protected.

Absolutely! If you know someone who may be interested in participating in one of our studies, you are welcome to share our website and contact information with them. To protect privacy, individuals interested in participating should contact our research team directly rather than providing personal information through a family member or friend.

Most of our studies include regular in-person visits at our La Jolla clinic. Because of these visits, participation is currently limited to individuals who live within San Diego County.

Health insurance is not required to participate in our research studies. However, participation in a research study does not replace your regular healthcare or medical treatment.