Using long-acting naltrexone to help prisoners with opioid use disorders after release
Official title: Long-acting naltrexone for pre-release prisoners: A randomized trial of mobile treatment
Funded at Friends Research Institute, INC. · NIH-10738933 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well a long-lasting injection of naltrexone can help people with opioid use problems who are about to be released from prison, by giving them the treatment before they leave and continuing it after they return home, to see if it helps them stick with their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Friends Research Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $444,092 |
| NIH project number | 3UG1DA050077-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10738933 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pre-release prisoners who have been diagnosed with opioid use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with opioid use disorders or who are not incarcerated may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of long-acting injectable naltrexone (XR-NTX) as a treatment for opioid use disorders in pre-release prisoners. The study will provide XR-NTX injections to inmates before their release and continue treatment with monthly injections after they return to their communities. By focusing on administering treatment in the patients' own environments, the research aims to improve adherence to the medication and overall treatment outcomes. The project will take place in five correctional facilities in Maryland, involving a total of 240 participants who will be randomly assigned to receive either the treatment or standard care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce relapse rates and improve recovery outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorders transitioning from incarceration to community living.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with long-acting naltrexone in treating opioid use disorders, indicating potential for success in this novel application within the correctional system.
Where this research is happening
-
Friends Research Institute, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gordon, Michael Scott — Friends Research Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Gordon, Michael Scott
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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.