Reducing racial gaps in opioid overdoses with peer recovery coach training and mobile support
Addressing racial disparities in opioid overdose deaths using an open source peer recovery coach training and multimodal mobile health platform
An AI-powered texting program plus trained peer recovery coaches to help people who use opioids connect with treatment, support, and social services.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Friends Research Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126614 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you use opioids, this project combines short interactive texts powered by artificial intelligence with support from peer recovery coaches who receive new video-based training. Peer coaches will use telephone-based outreach and help link you to services like buprenorphine treatment, housing resources, and other social supports. The AI texting tool sends real-time replies and reminders that reinforce coach guidance and core patient-centered, humility-focused principles. The team will run a three-month pilot random assignment to see how the combined approach works compared with usual care for keeping people engaged in treatment and services.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who use opioids, are at risk for overdose, are willing to receive text messages and phone calls, and can be reached within the study's service area.
Not a fit: People who do not use opioids, who cannot receive texts or phone calls, or who do not want peer support are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This approach could help people who use opioids stay connected to treatment and get help with housing, navigation, and overdose prevention.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work from the team showed promising results using AI-driven texting in a public health system and an evidence-supported peer coach training, but combining video-based coach training with AI reinforcement is a new pilot test.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Friends Research Institute, INC. — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tofighi, Babak — Friends Research Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Tofighi, Babak
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 below.