Linking people on MOUD to Recovery Community Centers to support recovery
R34 Study 2 - Pilot RCT Testing the Effectiveness of RCCs
This pilot will test whether connecting people who take medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to Recovery Community Centers helps their recovery and engagement with supports.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 128 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07010978 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot randomized clinical trial will enroll about 128 adults who are receiving MOUD at clinics near vetted Recovery Community Centers (RCCs) that serve Black communities. Participants are randomized to either active linkage to a local RCC (asked to visit at least twice and write about their experiences) or to enhanced treatment-as-usual where they choose and complete two recovery activities and write about them. The primary focus is feasibility: enrollment rate, completion of assigned recovery activities, and follow-up assessment completion to inform a larger R01 trial. Exploratory outcomes include changes over time on recovery measures such as the Substance Use Recovery Evaluator (SURE), BMR-4, Experience of Support, BARC-10, and self-reported participation in recovery services.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) currently using medications for opioid use disorder who receive MOUD from a clinic or pharmacy within 15 miles of a vetted RCC serving a predominantly Black community, can complete online surveys and are willing to be randomized.
Not a fit: People who have visited a vetted RCC in the past three months, who are not using MOUD, who live farther than 15 miles from a vetted RCC, or who are unwilling to be randomized are unlikely to benefit from this pilot.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, linking people on MOUD to RCCs could increase recovery support and participation in recovery services, leading to improved recovery-related outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Program evaluations and observational studies suggest RCCs and peer recovery supports can be helpful, but randomized trials of RCC linkage among people on MOUD are limited, making this pilot relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18+ years of age * Uses MOUD (at enrollment; participants may stop using MOUD subsequently) to treat OUD * Receives MOUD from a clinic/pharmacy located within 15 miles of an RCC vetted by our study team, which serves a Black community (i.e., defined as being located in a ZIP code where ≥27% of the residents are Black, as per US Census) * Is willing and able to engage in study procedures (i.e., online surveys, timeline follow back interview) * Is willing to be randomized Exclusion Criteria: \- Has visited a vetted RCC during the past 3 months
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Bettina Hoeppner, Ph.D., M.S. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bettina Hoeppner, Ph.D., M.S.
- Email: bhoeppner@mgh.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-643-1988
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.