New treatment approach for preventing relapse in people recovering from opioid use disorder
Official title: Combination Therapeutic for Chronic Opioid Use Disorder Relapse
Funded at Aphios Corporation · NIH-10706844 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for people recovering from opioid use disorder by combining a low dose of naltrexone with CBD in a special delivery system to help reduce cravings and make recovery easier and safer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Aphios Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Woburn, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $335,700 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DA058614-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10706844 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are in recovery from opioid use disorder and seeking additional support to prevent relapse.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not recovering from opioid use disorder or those who are not interested in pharmacological interventions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a new combination therapy for individuals recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD) by using a low-dose naltrexone and cannabidiol (CBD) formulation. The therapy will be delivered through biodegradable polymer nanospheres, which enhances the effectiveness and reduces side effects. The study builds on previous findings that suggest CBD can help reduce cravings and improve treatment adherence. By combining these two compounds, the research seeks to provide a more effective and safer option for patients struggling with OUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective treatment for preventing relapse in individuals recovering from opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with the use of CBD in reducing cravings and improving treatment outcomes in opioid use disorder, indicating that this approach has potential based on existing evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Aphios Corporation
Woburn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castor, Trevor P. — Aphios Corporation
- Study coordinator: Castor, Trevor P.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Real-time relapse risk scoring for Opioid Use Disorder from trial data
A tool that uses data from opioid treatment trials to produce a real-time score predicting a patient’s risk of relapse in the near future.
-
Smartphone app helps people on opioid treatment stay abstinent
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-
Predicting Relapse Risk for Opioid Use Disorder
This project is creating a tool to help doctors understand a patient's risk of relapse for Opioid Use Disorder in real-time, using information from past treatment.
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Exploring how unrealistic optimism affects opioid use and relapse
This study is looking at how being overly optimistic might affect people with opioid use disorder and their chances of relapsing, so we can better understand their decision-making and help create more effective treatment plans.
-
Predicting relapse risk for patients with Opioid Use Disorder
This study is working on a new tool that helps doctors predict the chances of someone with Opioid Use Disorder relapsing, using information like their treatment habits and drug tests, so they can provide better support when it's needed most.
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Combining buprenorphine with extended-release naltrexone to prevent opioid relapse
This project checks whether adding daily buprenorphine to monthly extended‑release naltrexone helps people with opioid use disorder stay off opioids.
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.