Support for families grieving an overdose loss
Families Left Behind: Addressing Prolonged Grief and Substance Use Disorders Among People Bereaved by Drug Overdose Deaths
This project will test a peer-led grief support program called RIVER to help adults who lost a loved one to an unintentional drug overdose within the past year.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 340 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Rand Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06854757 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study compares a peer-delivered grief support program (RIVER) with enhanced care as usual for people bereaved by unintentional drug overdose. Participants are identified through collaborating medical examiner offices and work with Peer Support Community Partners alongside research teams from RAND and Stanford. Eligible adults (18+) who lost a loved one to an unintentional overdose within the past year and who can consent will be enrolled; people with active suicidal ideation or recent psychiatric hospitalization are excluded. Outcomes will include measures of prolonged grief, substance use, PTSD, depression, and related risk behaviors.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18 and older who fluently read English or Spanish, can give consent, and who lost a loved one to an unintentional drug overdose within the past year are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with active suicidal ideation, those requiring psychiatric or substance-use hospitalization, anyone whose loss was more than one year ago, or whose loved one died by suicide or undetermined intent may not be appropriate or benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce prolonged grief symptoms and lower the risk of substance misuse and suicidal thoughts among people bereaved by overdose.
How similar studies have performed: Peer grief support interventions have shown promise in bereavement and behavioral health settings, but rigorous trials specifically targeting overdose bereavement remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * people who lost a loved one to an unintentional drug overdose death within the past year * age 18 and older * fluently understand English or Spanish * have the capacity to give consent (e.g., excluding those with severe cognitive impairment, those in active psychosis, and those with developmental disabilities). Exclusion Criteria: * people who need hospitalization for psychiatric symptoms or substance use disorders. (Note, people who use drugs but who do not require hospitalization will be included.) * people have active suicidal ideation * people who lost someone to a drug overdose death more than one year ago * people who lost someone to a drug overdose death that was suicidal in nature or of undetermined intent
Where this trial is running
Birmingham, Alabama and 3 other locations
- Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner's Office — Birmingham, Alabama, United States (Recruiting)
- San Diego County Medical Examiner Office — San Diego, California, United States (Recruiting)
- Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner — Farmington, Connecticut, United States (Recruiting)
- Peer Support Community Partners — Watertown, Massachusetts, United States (Active_not_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Alison Athey, PhD — Rand
- Study coordinator: Alison Athey, PhD
- Email: aathey@rand.org
- Phone: (703) 413-1100
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.