Study of Guanfacine and Mindfulness Meditation Added to Buprenorphine Treatment for Adults With Opioid Use Disorder Aged 18 to 55

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying opioid use disorder OUD in individuals maintained on buprenorphine BUP to evaluate the effects of guanfacine extended release GXR and Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement MORE, alone and combined. The study aims to understand how these treatments may reduce opioid craving and improve emotional regulation during stress and opioid cue exposure, addressing the limitations of current medication-assisted treatments in preventing relapse and improving adherence. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups in a 2x2 design GXR with MORE, GXR with a support group control, placebo with MORE, or placebo with support group control. The GXR dose is 3 mg daily for six weeks. The behavioral intervention MORE is provided weekly during this period. A pre- and post-intervention laboratory study will expose participants to personalized guided imageries stress, opioid cue, neutral to assess responses. A subsequent phase involving MRI scans will explore neural mechanisms. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including measures of opioid craving, anxiety, mood, stress, emotional dysregulation, heart rate, brain activation, and connectivity before and after imagery exposure. Safety and health status will be monitored, and the total intervention lasts six weeks. The study evaluates the combined medication and behavioral therapy effects on both behavioral and neural outcomes to better understand and improve treatments for OUD.

Combined Guanfacine and Mindfulness Meditation as an Adjunct to Buprenorphine Maintenance in Opioid Use Disorder