Comparing two forms of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder after jail release
Official title: A comparative effectiveness trial of sublingual versus extended-release buprenorphine with individuals leaving a carceral setting
Funded at Friends Research Institute, INC. · NIH-10930138 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well two types of buprenorphine help people with opioid use disorder who are coming out of jail, to see which one works better for staying off opioids and supporting long-term recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Friends Research Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,086,043 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058674-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930138 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder and are about to be released from jail.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not facing opioid use disorder or those who are not transitioning from a carceral setting may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of two different forms of buprenorphine—extended-release and sublingual—in treating individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are transitioning from jail back to the community. The study will randomly assign 240 adults with moderate-to-severe OUD to receive either treatment while still incarcerated, followed by continued treatment for six months after their release. Participants will be monitored for opioid use through urine tests and self-reports, as well as for retention in treatment and any substance use relapse. The goal is to determine which treatment option is more effective in reducing opioid use and improving long-term recovery outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals with opioid use disorder, potentially reducing relapse rates and overdose deaths.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results for the use of medications for opioid use disorder in carceral settings, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Friends Research Institute, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gordon, Michael Scott — Friends Research Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Gordon, Michael Scott
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.