Polysubstance use and treatment in the fentanyl era among people who use drugs
Official title: Polysubstance use, overdose, and treatment discontinuation among people who use drugs in the fentanyl era
Funded at New York University · NIH-11453617 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, patient-focused study in New York will look at how using multiple substances together affects methadone treatment and its continuation for people who use drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $103,607 |
| NIH project number | 1R36DA064916-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11453617 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with substance use disorders in New York State, including people who inject drugs, who are receiving or considering methadone maintenance treatment.
✕Less likely to help
People not using methadone or not seeking treatment in New York State may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This dissertation project will map patterns of polysubstance use and see how these patterns relate to starting, staying with, or stopping methadone maintenance treatment among people who use drugs in New York State. It will use existing data to identify different PSU profiles, including emerging substances like fentanyl, and examine how these profiles influence treatment experiences over time and across locations. The goal is to inform service delivery so clinics can better support PWUD who face complex substance use patterns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help tailor treatment services to reduce overdoses and improve retention in methadone programs for people with polysubstance use.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows PSU is linked to worse treatment outcomes, but this project adds context with fentanyl and newer substances and state-level patterns.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khezri, Mehrdad — New York University
- Study coordinator: Khezri, Mehrdad
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.