Preventing opioid use in youth transitioning to adulthood

Preventing Opioid Use Among Justice-Involved Youth as They Transition to Adulthood: Leveraging Safe Adults (LeSA)

NIH-funded research Texas Christian University · NIH-10209094

This study is looking at how to help young people who have been in the juvenile justice system avoid misusing opioids as they grow up, by training their parents or guardians in supportive ways to manage behavior and promote emotional health.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTexas Christian University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Fort Worth, United States)
Project IDNIH-10209094 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on preventing opioid misuse among youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system as they transition to adulthood. It aims to adapt a relational intervention called Trust-based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) to help these vulnerable adolescents by training safe adults, such as parents or guardians, in effective behavior management techniques. The goal is to promote emotional regulation and support these youth in avoiding substance use as they reintegrate into their communities after detention. By addressing the unique challenges faced by this population, the research seeks to reduce the risk of opioid misuse and related disorders.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 16-18 who are transitioning out of juvenile justice facilities and are at risk for substance use.

Not a fit: Patients who are not involved in the juvenile justice system or who are not at risk for opioid misuse may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the rates of opioid misuse among at-risk youth, leading to healthier transitions into adulthood.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using relational interventions to support at-risk youth, indicating a promising approach for this population.

Where this research is happening

Fort Worth, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Mental disordersMental health disordersPsychiatric DiseasePsychiatric Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.