Helping former prisoners with substance use disorders stay sober after release
Official title: Improving Outcomes and Equity for Released Prisoners with SUD: Trajectories of Participation in Pre-Release and Post-Release MOUD, Peer Navigation, and Outcomes
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11082392 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how giving medication for opioid use disorder before people leave prison, along with support from peers after they get out, can help those with substance use issues have a safer and more successful return to their communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $706,498 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058664-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082392 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with substance use disorders who are preparing for or have recently been released from prison.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in the criminal justice system or do not have substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) who are released from prison. It investigates the effectiveness of providing medication for opioid use disorder before release and peer navigation support after release. By analyzing data from a large cohort of individuals who have received these interventions, the research aims to identify which components work best, for whom, and the barriers to success. The goal is to enhance safe re-entry into the community and reduce the risk of overdose.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the rates of substance use relapse and overdose among released prisoners.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar interventions aimed at supporting individuals with substance use disorders during re-entry into the community.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crystal, Stephen — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Crystal, Stephen
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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.