Understanding the effects of reducing opioid pain medication on substance-related issues
Official title: Assessing real-world evidence of the effects of opioid analgesic tapering on substance-related problems
Funded at Trustees of Indiana University · NIH-11086670 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how gradually reducing long-term opioid use might impact patients' chances of facing issues like overdose or substance use problems, and it aims to help identify which patients might need extra support during this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $349,045 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059026-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086670 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals aged 21 and older who are currently on long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently on long-term opioid therapy or those with acute pain conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how tapering off long-term opioid therapy affects patients' risk of substance-related problems, such as overdose and substance use disorders. By analyzing large healthcare data, the study aims to provide real-world evidence on the benefits and potential harms of reducing opioid dosages. The research will focus on identifying specific patient groups who may be more vulnerable to adverse effects during the tapering process. Patients will be monitored for various outcomes related to substance use and self-harm.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help improve guidelines for safely tapering opioid medications, potentially reducing the risk of substance-related issues for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated the need for real-world evidence on opioid tapering, but this specific approach is novel and aims to fill existing gaps in knowledge.
Where this research is happening
-
Trustees of Indiana University
Bloomington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quinn, Patrick Donovan — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Quinn, Patrick Donovan
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.