Evaluating a Short Alcohol Intervention to Improve Outcomes for Adults Using Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to assess a brief alcohol-focused intervention tailored for adults with opioid use disorder who are receiving prescribed buprenorphine treatment and currently consume alcohol. The study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention and gathers initial data on whether it improves alcohol-related outcomes. The findings will help determine if a larger clinical trial is warranted in the future. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives their usual treatment, which includes prescribed buprenorphine and behavioral support focused on medication adherence and preventing opioid relapse. The other group receives the brief opioid-informed alcohol intervention, which combines motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy principles tailored to the needs of patients in opioid treatment. This intervention is delivered in weekly in-person sessions over four weeks. Participants will be involved for at least four weeks, during which researchers will assess how acceptable and feasible the brief alcohol intervention is. The main measurements are taken at the end of the four-week period. Participants may also undergo behavioral evaluations related to alcohol use and treatment adherence. The study monitors participants responses to the intervention and usual care, aiming to improve outcomes related to alcohol use and opioid treatment retention.

Better Experiences in Substance Treatment: A Brief Alcohol-focused Intervention Tailored for Patients in Opioid Agonist Treatment