Peer recovery support to help people stay on medication for opioid use disorder
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-11370473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Trained peers with lived experience will help people with opioid use disorder stick with clinic-based medication treatment.
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 | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $680,562 |
| NIH project number | 4R33DA059880-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with opioid use disorder who are receiving outpatient medication treatment (like buprenorphine) and who are willing to engage with a trained peer supporter.
✕Less likely to help
People not enrolled in clinic-based medication programs, those in inpatient-only care, or those who do not want peer-based support may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
Patients will be offered peer recovery support tailored for outpatient medication treatment, developed with input from patients and clinic staff. The project uses a two-phase approach: first adapting the peer program with community partners, then testing it across multiple clinic sites to see if it improves how long patients stay on medication. The team will use practical implementation frameworks to make sure the program fits clinic workflows and can be sustained. Clinics across diverse regions, including Appalachian areas, will take part.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help more people remain on life-saving medications longer, lowering overdose risk and supporting lasting recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Peer recovery support has shown promise in addiction services, but rigorous testing specifically within clinic-based MOUD programs has been limited, so this approach is partly novel.
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.