CTN-0100: Optimizing Retention, Duration, and Discontinuation Strategies for Opioid Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy

Edward V. Nunes, Jr., MD
Lead Investigator
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York State Psychiatric Institute
edward.nunes@nyspi.columbia.edu

John Rotrosen, MD
Lead Investigator
Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
john.rotosen@nyulangone.org

Roger D. Weiss, MD
Lead Investigator
Division of Alcohol, Drugs, and Addiction
McLean Hospital
rweiss@mclean.harvard.edu

Dropout from treatment is a major barrier to the effectiveness of buprenorphine and extended-release naltrexone for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Clinical trials show that 50% or more of participants drop out of treatment by 3 to 6 months after treatment initiation. Patients who do stay in treatment often eventually ask how long they need to continue medication, and whether it would be safe to discontinue; there is little evidence available to guide clinicians’ responses to these questions. This study will 1) test pharmacologic and behavioral strategies to improve OUD pharmacotherapy treatment retention and to improve outcomes among patients who have achieved stable remission on OUD medications and want to discontinue medication; and 2) identify predictors of successful outcome and develop a stage model of relapse risk.

Funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative^SM.