Interim Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Despite the demonstrated effectiveness of agonist treatment for opioid dependence and alarming recent increases in overdose deaths, waiting lists for treatment persist. In a Behavioral & Integrative Treatment Development pilot study, the investigators demonstrated the initial efficacy a novel Interim Buprenorphine Treatment (IBT) to mitigate the risks (e.g., illicit opioid use, IV drug use) associated with treatment delays. However, consistent with that R34 mechanism, our initial pilot study involved a limited sample size and was conducted at a single academic, well-controlled research clinic with an extensive history of research. It is important to replicate these very positive pilot results and begin to evaluate whether they generalize to less-controlled rural environments that are being so adversely impacted by the current opioid abuse epidemic. In this Stage II randomized parallel two-group trial, the investigators will evaluate the efficacy of IBT using a larger sample of 100 waitlisted opioid-dependent adults (50 IBT, 50 WLC). UVM will serve as the coordinating center and we will aim to partner with health centers and other convenience sites in rural Vermont counties to conduct study visits while overcoming barriers commonly encountered in rural areas (e.g., transportation issues, socioeconomic barriers). The proposed research builds directly on the promising Stage I results and has the potential to substantially reduce the vast individual and societal costs associated with opioid treatment delays.