Improving support for patients in opioid use disorder treatment
Official title: Evaluation of a peer recovery support program adapted to target retention in clinic-based medication for opioid use disorder treatment
Funded at Geisinger Clinic · NIH-10809150 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make support programs better for people with opioid use disorder by involving those who have experienced addiction themselves, so they can help others stick with their treatment and stay healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Geisinger Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Danville, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $943,458 |
| NIH project number | 1R61DA059880-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10809150 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder who may benefit from additional peer support.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder or those who do not wish to engage in peer support may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how peer recovery support programs can be adapted to help patients stay in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). It focuses on engaging individuals with lived experience of addiction to provide support in outpatient settings, aiming to improve retention rates in medication-assisted treatment. The study will utilize a community-based participatory approach to ensure that the program is tailored to the needs of patients and can be effectively implemented in various clinics. By evaluating the effectiveness of this adapted support program, the research seeks to address the high dropout rates that can lead to overdose and relapse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the retention of patients in opioid use disorder treatment, leading to better recovery outcomes and reduced overdose rates.
How similar studies have gone: While peer recovery support has shown promise in various settings, this specific adaptation for outpatient OUD treatment is relatively novel and has not been rigorously tested before.
Where this research is happening
-
Geisinger Clinic
Danville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Poulsen, Melissa — Geisinger Clinic
- Study coordinator: Poulsen, Melissa
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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.