Sleep therapy tailored for adults in opioid treatment

Development and testing of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia adapted for patients in opioid use disorder treatment

NIH-funded research Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11325031

A tailored cognitive-behavioral sleep program aims to help adults with opioid use disorder and insomnia sleep better and stay in medication treatment.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVirginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Richmond, United States)
Project IDNIH-11325031 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be offered a version of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (called CBT-IO) that is adapted to the needs of people receiving medications for opioid use disorder. The research team will use patient feedback and qualitative data to shape the sessions and materials. They will pilot the adapted program in clinics treating OUD, measure changes in sleep and engagement in medication treatment, and refine the approach based on results. The therapy is designed to fit into existing OUD care so it can support recovery and reduce overdose risk by improving sleep and treatment retention.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults (21+) receiving medication treatment for opioid use disorder who have persistent insomnia symptoms and are willing to attend behavioral therapy sessions are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without insomnia, those not in medication-based OUD treatment, or those unable or unwilling to take part in therapy sessions are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help people with OUD sleep better and stay on life-saving medications longer, reducing overdose risk.

How similar studies have performed: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is an established, effective treatment in general, but it has been little tested in people with opioid use disorder, so this adapted approach is promising but not yet proven.

Where this research is happening

Richmond, 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.
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.