Actively Recruiting
A Bundled Intervention to End Opioid Overdose by Increasing Treatment Uptake Post Emergency Department Discharge
Led by University of Alabama at Birmingham · Updated on 2026-02-23
190
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Opioid overdose deaths have reached record highs in the United States, especially among patients discharged from emergency departments (ED). This research aims to evaluate a bundled intervention combining telehealth, peer support, buprenorphine treatment, and linkage to addiction programs to increase treatment uptake, reduce repeat opioid overdoses, and lower mortality in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) after ED discharge. The study is supported by the HEAL Initiative and focuses on patients with recent opioid overdoses who face barriers to treatment after leaving the ED. The study includes two phases. In phase 1, 30 patients discharged from the ED will receive daily peer support via telehealth during the first week, then less frequently over 12 weeks, alongside buprenorphine prescribed by physicians. In phase 2, about 160 participants will be randomized to either the same bundled intervention or usual care, which includes ED-initiated buprenorphine and referral lists but no ongoing peer support. The intervention lasts 3 months post-ED discharge, and participants in all groups will complete follow-up surveys at 1 and 3 months. Participants will be involved in baseline assessments, receive the intervention or usual care after ED discharge, and complete self-report questionnaires through electronic surveys at 1 and 3 months. Peer supporters will remind participants to complete surveys. The study will measure treatment retention, adherence to buprenorphine, and successful linkage to addiction treatment programs at 1 and 3 months after ED discharge. These outcomes will help assess the feasibility and impact of this bundled approach to reduce opioid overdose risks and improve care continuity.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A Bundled Intervention
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Discharged from the emergency department or inpatient settings at the University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital
- Age 19 years or older
- Diagnosed with opioid use disorder and experienced an opioid overdose in the last 12 months
- Prescribed buprenorphine in the emergency department and willing to continue buprenorphine after discharge
- English speaking
- Not actively psychotic, suicidal, or cognitively impaired
- Patients admitted to the hospital from the emergency department are eligible
You will not qualify if you...
- Living in a restricted environment such as prison or jail
- Currently enrolled in other clinical studies
- Expected to take prescribed opioids other than buprenorphine for more than three months
- Known allergy to buprenorphine
- Critically ill or injured
- Pregnant females
- Living outside of Alabama
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person) at the emergency department
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants receive a bundled intervention including peer support, buprenorphine treatment, telehealth, and assistance linking to community-based addiction programs. The intervention starts the first week after emergency department discharge and includes daily peer contact in Week 1, twice weekly in Week 2, and weekly thereafter for a total of 12 weeks.
Daily contacts in Week 1, twice weekly contacts in Week 2, then weekly contacts for the remainder of the 12 weeks via telehealth
Duration - Up to 3 months post discharge
Participants complete self-report questionnaires at 1 month and 3 months after emergency department discharge to assess retention, buprenorphine adherence, and linkage to addiction treatment programs. Participants receive reminders via text messages and/or emails to complete these surveys.
2 survey assessments at 1 and 3 months post discharge
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UAB
Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Li Li, MD;PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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