Helping primary care patients on opioids feel less lonely to prevent misuse.
Official title: Addressing Loneliness in Primary Care Patients on Chronic Opioids to Prevent Opioid Misuse
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11052606 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for people with chronic pain who take opioids and often feel lonely, to see if special programs can help them connect with others and feel better, which might also lower the chances of misusing their medication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R34DA058325-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052606 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are primary care patients who are on chronic opioid therapy and experiencing feelings of loneliness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not on chronic opioids or do not experience loneliness may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients with chronic pain who are prescribed opioids and often experience loneliness, which can lead to negative health outcomes and increased risk of opioid misuse. The study aims to develop and test interventions that address loneliness through cognitive behavioral therapy and social navigation, helping patients improve their social connections and mental well-being. By implementing these interventions in primary care settings, the research seeks to create a supportive environment that reduces the likelihood of opioid misuse. Participants will be involved in a pilot trial to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of opioid misuse among patients with chronic pain by enhancing their social support and mental health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy and social support interventions can effectively reduce loneliness in other populations, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tong, Sebastian — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Tong, Sebastian
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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.