Understanding stigma around medication for opioid use disorder
Official title: Opioid Use Disorder Pharmaceutical Treatments: Investigating a Model and Measure of Intervention Stigma toward Medication (OPTIMISM)
Funded at University of Missouri-St. Louis · NIH-10974580 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the negative feelings some people have about medications like methadone and buprenorphine that help treat opioid addiction, and it wants to understand how these feelings affect both healthcare providers and the public, so we can find better ways to support people seeking treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-St. Louis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $421,499 |
| NIH project number | 1R15DA059765-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974580 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with opioid use disorder who may benefit from medication-assisted treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or those who are not interested in medication-assisted treatment may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the stigma associated with medications used to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), such as methadone and buprenorphine. It aims to identify the beliefs and attitudes of healthcare providers, decision-makers, and the general public that contribute to this stigma. By exploring how these perceptions affect the endorsement and use of medication for OUD, the study seeks to develop strategies to reduce stigma and improve treatment access for patients. The research will involve qualitative methods to gather insights from various stakeholders, including those with lived experience of OUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to increased acceptance and utilization of effective medications for treating opioid use disorder, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing stigma can improve treatment outcomes in various health conditions, suggesting that this approach may also be effective for opioid use disorder.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winograd, Rachel — University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Study coordinator: Winograd, Rachel
Related research
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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.