Improving treatment for opioid use disorder after emergency department visits
Official title: A Bundled Intervention to End Opioid Overdoses by Increasing Treatment Uptake Post Emergency Department Discharge
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11059450 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help people who have had an opioid overdose by providing them with support through telehealth, peer assistance, and access to medications, so they can get the care they need after leaving the emergency room and have a better chance at recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $844,475 |
| NIH project number | 1R61DA062351-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059450 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a nonfatal opioid overdose and are discharged from an emergency department.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not struggling with opioid use disorder or have not experienced an overdose may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to address the high rates of opioid overdose deaths, particularly among patients discharged from emergency departments. It will test a bundled intervention that includes telehealth services, peer support, and access to medications for opioid use disorder, such as buprenorphine. The goal is to overcome barriers that prevent patients from receiving adequate treatment after an overdose, thereby increasing their chances of recovery and reducing repeat overdoses. By focusing on this vulnerable population, the research seeks to improve continuity of care and support for individuals struggling with opioid addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of patients receiving effective treatment for opioid use disorder, ultimately reducing overdose deaths.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that peer support and telehealth can improve treatment uptake in substance use disorders, suggesting potential success for this novel bundled intervention.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Li — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Li, Li
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.