Impact of MOUD Policy Changes During the Pandemic on Opioid and Alcohol Use Disorders
Official title: Comparing Treatment Use, Retention, and Patient Outcomes Pre- and Post-implementation of Federal Policy Changes Regulating Buprenorphine and Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Run by Boston University · NCT07232641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how federal and state policy changes during the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to and use of medications for opioid use disorder among Veterans with opioid or alcohol use disorders.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 185810 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Boston University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 30, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 2029 |
| Study ends | September 2029 |
| Registry record updated | July 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07232641 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Veterans with documented substance use disorders (alcohol and/or opioid) receiving care in the VA system.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients not engaged with MOUD or without access to VA healthcare resources may not experience benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study uses data from the Veterans Health Administration to examine how pandemic-era MOUD policy changes influenced treatment receipt, retention, and associated outcomes for people with opioid use disorder, compared with a similar group with alcohol use disorder. It employs interrupted time-series or difference-in-difference designs to assess pre- and post-policy periods and to compare across diagnostic groups. The project includes qualitative interviews with veterans, MOUD providers, and VA leadership to contextualize quantitative findings and explore implementation factors. Lead sponsorship is from Boston University with collaboration from PCORI, and the VA Boston Healthcare System serves as the study site.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could clarify which policy changes most effectively improve MOUD access and outcomes, guiding future policy and program designs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests policy changes can improve MOUD access, but this study adds a veteran-centered, real-world assessment with qualitative context.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Substance use disorder (alcohol and/or opioid) documented in the Veteran's Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) Exclusion Criteria: * None
Where it's running
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VA Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Nicholas Livingston, PhD — BUCA School of Medicine, Psychiatry and VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Nicholas Livingston, PhD
- Email: livingn@bu.edu
- Phone: 857-364-6612
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.