Counseling program to improve opioid treatment in Cherokee Nation

Counseling for Harm Reduction and Retention in Medication-assisted Treatment - Cherokee Nation

NA · Washington State University · NCT05733442

This study is testing a new counseling program to see if it helps people in the Cherokee Nation stick with their opioid treatment better than standard care.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment136 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorWashington State University (other)
Locations2 sites (Tahlequah, Oklahoma and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05733442 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Counseling for Harm Reduction and Retention in Medication-assisted Treatment (CHaRRM-CN) program specifically designed for the Cherokee Nation. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the CHaRRM-CN program or standard treatment, with follow-ups at 1, 3, and 6 months to assess retention in treatment, substance use outcomes, and cultural connectedness. The study addresses the unique challenges faced by the American Indian population regarding opioid use disorder and seeks to enhance treatment retention through culturally adapted approaches.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older who have recently registered in the Cherokee Nation Health Services Medication-assisted Treatment Program.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent or who pose a risk to others may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve retention rates in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder among American Indian patients.

How similar studies have performed: While specific studies on opioid treatment outcomes for American Indian populations are limited, culturally adapted treatment approaches have shown promise in reducing substance use and associated harm in Native communities.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. At least 18 years of age
2. Must be newly registered (within 4 weeks) in the CNHS MAT Program. (Prior patients can participate as long as their most recent treatment course was at least 6 months prior).
3. Must be willing to provide written informed consent to enroll in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Refusal or inability to consent to participation in research. (The latter is assessed using the UCSD Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent.)
2. Refusal or inability to consent and constituting a risk to the safety and security of other patients or staff

Where this trial is running

Tahlequah, Oklahoma and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Opioid Use Disorder, opioid use disorder, harm reduction, medication assisted treatment, American Indian

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.