Helping people in opioid treatment safely share their recovery and rebuild connections
Disclosure Intervention to Reduce Social Isolation and Facilitate Recovery among People in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
A one-hour program to help people in opioid treatment decide when and how to tell others about their recovery to reduce isolation and support getting better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170550 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project offers a brief, one-hour decision aid and toolkit called Disclosing Recovery to teach people in opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment how to make choices about disclosure and build skills like communication and coping. The intervention guides people through whether, why, what, how, and when to share their OUD history or treatment with others, while addressing concerns about stigma and safety. It was pilot tested with 50 people in OUD treatment and will be delivered to people enrolled in treatment settings to see how it affects social connections and engagement in recovery. The approach focuses on practical skills and real-world decision-making to help reduce the cycle where isolation worsens substance use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults currently receiving treatment for opioid use disorder who feel socially isolated or are thinking about whether to tell family, friends, or others about their recovery.
Not a fit: People who are not in OUD treatment or those in situations where disclosure would be unsafe or likely to cause harm may not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help people in OUD treatment reconnect with supportive relationships, reduce harmful isolation, and lower the chances of continued use or overdose.
How similar studies have performed: Disclosure interventions have helped people with other stigmatized chronic illnesses, but this intervention is the first tailored program for people in OUD treatment and has only been pilot tested in 50 participants so far.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- University of Delaware — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Earnshaw, Valerie Ann — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Earnshaw, Valerie Ann
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 below.