SHE-OUD: a quick, private screen-and-help program for women in opioid treatment
Official title: Addressing violence in the context of opioid use disorder care
Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-11415934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A brief, computer-based screening and intervention is tested to help women with opioid use disorder who have experienced sexual violence and PTSD, aiming to improve their treatment outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $493,691 |
| NIH project number | 5R61DA061325-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women seeking OUD treatment who have a history of sexual violence and may have PTSD.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a history of sexual violence or those not in OUD treatment may not benefit from this specific program.
What this research studies
This project adapts a one-session program called Safe and Health Experiences (SHE) for use in opioid use disorder care settings. It screens for lifetime sexual violence, provides a brief intervention for aftereffects such as PTSD and IPV, and connects participants to mental health treatment. The study will look at whether SHE-OUD is feasible, acceptable, and shows early signs of improving engagement in OUD care among women with SV histories. It focuses on women receiving OUD treatment who have experienced sexual violence and may have PTSD symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve engagement in mental health treatment and improve OUD outcomes for women with histories of sexual violence.
How similar studies have gone: Prior SHE program showed feasibility and acceptability among women veterans; this study tests adaptation in OUD care for women with SV.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Orchowski, Lindsay Marie — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Orchowski, Lindsay Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding the impact of shame on opioid use disorder treatment for sexual violence survivors
This study is looking at how feelings of shame impact people with opioid use disorder who have gone through sexual violence, and it aims to understand how these feelings affect their cravings, substance use, and participation in treatment, so we can find better ways to support them on their recovery journey.
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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.