Creating new care pathways for treating opioid use disorder and PTSD in jails
Official title: Developing and Testing Innovative Care Pathways for Screening and Treatment of OUD/PTSD in Jails
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-10812703 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to better help people in jails who are dealing with opioid use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder by combining therapy and medication, so they can get the support they need when they leave jail and reduce the risk of overdose.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $915,611 |
| NIH project number | 1R61DA059947-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10812703 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are currently incarcerated and have a diagnosis of opioid use disorder and/or posttraumatic stress disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently incarcerated or do not have a diagnosis of opioid use disorder or PTSD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the screening and treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among individuals in jails. It aims to develop a tailored approach that combines therapy for PTSD with medication for OUD, addressing the high rates of overdose deaths after release from incarceration. The project will involve collaboration with various stakeholders to adapt existing treatment models to the jail environment and evaluate their effectiveness in linking individuals to necessary therapies. By implementing innovative care pathways, the research seeks to enhance treatment initiation and engagement for those affected by these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce overdose deaths and improve mental health outcomes for individuals with OUD and PTSD after incarceration.
How similar studies have gone: While there is emerging research on the integration of PTSD treatment with OUD care, this specific approach in the jail context is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zielinski, Melissa Jean — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Zielinski, Melissa Jean
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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.