Brief alcohol-focused program tailored for people taking buprenorphine
Better Experiences in Substance Treatment: A Brief Alcohol-Focused Intervention Tailored for Patients in Opioid Agonist Treatment
This project will try a short, opioid-informed alcohol counseling program for adults on prescribed buprenorphine who drink alcohol to see if it reduces drinking and helps them stay in treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Notre Dame Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Notre Dame, Indiana) |
| Trial ID | NCT07342504 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Alcohol use can raise overdose risk and undermine retention in buprenorphine-based opioid treatment, yet alcohol interventions have rarely been tailored for this group. This proof-of-concept randomized intervention tests a brief opioid-informed alcohol intervention based on motivational enhancement and cognitive behavioral therapy, adapted to the needs of patients receiving buprenorphine. The study will enroll adults on buprenorphine who meet DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder and who drink at least once per week, then measure feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary alcohol-related outcomes. Findings will guide whether a larger clinical trial is warranted.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) who have been taking prescribed buprenorphine for at least two weeks, meet DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder, drink on average at least one day per week, can read simple English, and are not currently in formal alcohol treatment are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People already receiving formal alcohol treatment, those not drinking at least weekly, or those not on prescribed buprenorphine are unlikely to benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce drinking and alcohol-related problems and indirectly improve buprenorphine retention and safety.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has tested standard alcohol interventions in opioid treatment populations with limited and mixed results, and this brief opioid-informed, tailored approach is relatively novel and minimally tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for the RCT: * Participants must be taking prescribed buprenorphine for at least 2 weeks * Participants must be 18 years or older. * Meet DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) * Participants must report alcohol use ≥ 1 day/week on average in the past 28 days * Participants must be able to read simple English Exclusion Criteria: * Currently receiving formal alcohol use treatment.
Where this trial is running
Notre Dame, Indiana
- The University of Notre Dame — Notre Dame, Indiana, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ryan Carpenter, PhD
- Email: ryancarpenter@nd.edu
- Phone: +1 574-631-5429
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.