Using guanfacine and mindfulness to help people with opioid use disorder on buprenorphine
Official title: Combined guanfacine and mindfulness meditation as an adjunct to buprenorphine maintenance in OUD
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10947227 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether taking guanfacine and practicing mindfulness meditation together can help people with opioid use disorder feel more in control of their emotions and cravings while they are already on buprenorphine treatment. If you join, you might receive one of these treatments, both, or none, and the goal is to see if this helps you stick to your treatment and avoid relapse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $421,621 |
| NIH project number | 1R61DA059906-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947227 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are currently undergoing treatment with buprenorphine.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently receiving buprenorphine or those with contraindications to guanfacine may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the combined effects of guanfacine, a medication, and mindfulness meditation as additional treatments for individuals with opioid use disorder who are already receiving buprenorphine. The study aims to see if this combination can improve emotional control and reduce cravings triggered by stress and opioid-related cues. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either guanfacine, mindfulness training, both, or neither over a six-week period. The goal is to determine if these interventions can enhance treatment adherence and reduce relapse rates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment approach for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, potentially improving their recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the combination of guanfacine and mindfulness is a novel approach, previous studies have shown that both interventions can be effective individually in managing cravings and emotional regulation.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ray, Suchismita — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ray, Suchismita
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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.