NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

A family-based therapy for women with opioid use disorder involved in the justice system

Official title: A Unique, Co-Designed Family-Based Therapy for Marginalized Women with Opioid Use Disorder and Justice-Involvement

Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11076317 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new therapy made just for women who have faced challenges with opioid use and the justice system, and it involves these women in creating the program to make sure it really helps them; the goal is to see how well this family-focused approach works alongside other treatments to support their recovery.

More Opioid Use research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Cincinnati
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cincinnati, United States)
Project startJune 15, 2023
Project endApril 30, 2028
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$191,841
NIH project number5K23DA058053-03
Project IDNIH-11076317 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are women who are experiencing opioid use disorder and have had interactions with the justice system.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or those who are not involved in the justice system may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a unique therapy designed specifically for marginalized women who are dealing with opioid use disorder and have been involved in the justice system. The approach utilizes co-design, meaning that women with lived experiences will actively participate in creating the intervention, ensuring it meets their specific needs. The study aims to assess how acceptable and feasible this family-based therapy is when integrated with existing treatment options. By engaging the community in the research process, the goal is to create a supportive environment that promotes recovery and well-being.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a tailored therapeutic approach that significantly improves recovery outcomes for women facing opioid use disorder and justice involvement.

How similar studies have gone: While community-based participatory approaches have shown promise in other areas, this specific intervention for women in the sex trade is relatively novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Cincinnati
    Cincinnati, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Murnan, Aaron William — University of Cincinnati
  • Study coordinator: Murnan, Aaron William

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.