Optimizing Retention, Duration and Discontinuation Strategies for Opioid Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy (RDD)

Last updated: August 26, 2025
Sponsor: NYU Langone Health
Overall Status: Active - Not Recruiting

Phase

2

Condition

Stimulant Use Disorder

Opioid Use Disorder

Treatment

XR-BUP

XR-NTX

MM

Clinical Study ID

NCT04464980
19-01363
UG1DA013035
146193
20-PRS-057
UG1DA015831
CTN-0100
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This is a two phase study investigating combinations of pharmacological and behavioral interventions to optimize the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The Retention Phase will assess strategies for improving retention on buprenorphine (BUP) and extended-release injectable naltrexone (XR-NTX). The Discontinuation Phase will assess which approaches are most likely to lead to long-term success (absence of relapse), and what characteristics of participants distinguish those who can safely discontinue Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) from those who remain at risk of relapse and should not discontinue.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria for Retention Phase:

  1. 18 years of age or older;

  2. Meet DSM-5 criteria for current opioid use disorder (heroin, fentanyl or other synthetic opioids, and/or prescription opioids);

  3. Seeking treatment for opioid use disorder and choosing either buprenorphine (BUP) or extended-release injection naltrexone (XR-NTX);

  4. If choosing buprenorphine, willing to be randomized to SL-BUP-16mg, SL-BUP-32mg, or XR-BUP;

  5. Willing to be randomized to either MM (standard Medical Management plus counseling treatment as usual available at the site) or MMR (MM plus usual counseling and access to an app delivering CM + CBT);

  6. In good-enough general health (meaning good enough health to be in outpatient treatment) as determined by the study medical clinician on the basis of medical history, review of systems, and physical/mental status exam, to permit treatment with XR-NTX or BUP;

  7. Willing and able to provide written informed consent;

  8. Able to speak English sufficiently to understand the study procedures;

  9. If female of childbearing potential, willing to practice an effective method of birth control for the duration of participation in the study (participants who become pregnant during the study will continue to be followed; treatment may be modified consistent with pregnancy).

Exclusion Criteria for Retention Phase:

  1. Serious medical, psychiatric, or co-occurring substance use disorder or concomitant medication that, in the opinion of the study medical clinician, makes the patient not appropriate for outpatient treatment with buprenorphine or XR-NTX, but instead requires a higher or different level of care. Examples include:

  2. Disabling or terminal medical illness (e.g., uncompensated heart failure, cirrhosis or end-stage liver disease) as assessed by medical history, review of systems, physical exam and/or laboratory assessments;

  3. Severe, untreated or inadequately treated psychiatric condition (e.g., active psychosis, uncontrolled bipolar disorder) as assessed by history and/or clinical interview, requiring a different level of care (e.g., hospitalization);

  4. Current severe alcohol, benzodiazepine, or other depressant or sedative hypnotic use, requiring a different level of care (e.g., hospitalization);

  5. Suicidal or homicidal ideation or behavior requiring a different level of care (e.g., hospitalization);

  6. Known allergy or sensitivity to preferred medication or its components;

  7. Maintenance on methadone at the time of signing consent;

  8. For those preferring XR-NTX, presence of pain of sufficient severity as to require ongoing pain management with opioids;

  9. For those preferring XR-NTX, body habitus that, in the judgment of the study physician, precludes safe intramuscular injection of XR-NTX (e.g., BMI>40, excess fat tissue over the buttocks, emaciation);

  10. If female, currently pregnant or breastfeeding or planning on conception;

  11. Are currently in jail, prison or other overnight facility as required by court of law or have pending legal action that could prevent participation in study activities;

  12. Have used the reSET-O or CHESS Connections mHealth apps in the 3 months prior to consent;

  13. Other major reasons that might prevent an individual from participating in the study (e.g., a planned move out of the area).

Inclusion Criteria for Discontinuation Phase:

  1. 18 years of age or older;

  2. Have been receiving buprenorphine for OUD for at least the past year or XR-NTX pharmacotherapy for OUD for at least the past 6 months prior to consent for the Discontinuation Phase;

  3. Express the desire to discontinue MOUD after a shared decision-making discussion with the treating provider;

  4. Meet stability criteria, i.e., have abstained from opioids (other than buprenorphine), cocaine, methamphetamine, and non-prescribed benzodiazepines for the past ≥12 weeks, and do not meet DSM-5 criteria for current (≥12 weeks) alcohol use disorder (participants with cannabis use will be eligible);

  5. If currently taking buprenorphine, are willing to take either SL-BUP or XR-BUP if randomized to that condition;

  6. Willing to be randomized to either MM or to MMD;

  7. Able to provide written informed consent after discussion with their provider regarding the risks of discontinuation;

  8. Able to speak English sufficiently to understand the study procedures;

  9. If female of childbearing potential, willing to practice an effective method of birth control while in the study and taking study medication (participants who become pregnant during the study will continue to be followed; treatment may be modified consistent with pregnancy).

Exclusion Criteria for Discontinuation Phase:

  1. Serious medical or psychiatric disorder or concomitant medication that, in the opinion of the study medical clinician, would make study participation hazardous to the participant or compromise study findings or would prevent the participant from completing the study. Examples include:

  2. Disabling or terminal medical illness (e.g., uncompensated heart failure, cirrhosis or end-stage liver disease) as assessed by medical history, review of systems, physical exam and/or laboratory assessments;

  3. Severe, untreated, or inadequately treated psychiatric condition (e.g., active psychosis, uncontrolled bipolar disorder) as assessed by history and/or clinical interview, requiring a different level of care (e.g., hospitalization);

  4. Suicidal or homicidal ideation or behavior requiring a different level of care (e.g., hospitalization);

  5. For participants entering the study taking buprenorphine, presence of pain requiring or likely requiring ongoing pain management with buprenorphine or other opioids;

  6. If female, currently pregnant or breastfeeding or planning on conception;

  7. Use of opioids (other than buprenorphine), cocaine, methamphetamine, or non-prescribed benzodiazepines in the past 12 weeks;

  8. Meets current DSM-5 criteria for any current alcohol use disorder;

  9. Are currently in jail, prison or other overnight facility as required by court of law or have pending legal action that could prevent participation in study activities;

  10. Have used the Connections mHealth app in the 3 months prior to consent (other than Connections in the Retention Phase);

  11. Other major reasons that might prevent an individual from participating in the study (e.g., a planned move out of the area.

Study Design

Total Participants: 1516
Treatment Group(s): 6
Primary Treatment: XR-BUP
Phase: 2
Study Start date:
June 08, 2021
Estimated Completion Date:
January 31, 2027

Study Description

The main objectives of this study are:

  1. To test strategies to improve retention in treatment on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), among patients initiating treatment for OUD.

  2. To test strategies to improve outcomes among patients who have achieved stable remission on MOUD and want to discontinue MOUD.

  3. To develop models to predict who is able to discontinue MOUD without relapse, based on patient characteristics, including duration of MOUD prior to discontinuation.

The study will have a multicenter, randomized, pragmatic non-blinded design. The study has two phases, a Retention Phase and a Discontinuation Phase.

Connect with a study center

  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) / Center for Addiction Services and Treatment (CAST)

    Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) / Center for Addiction Services and Treatment (CAST)

    Little Rock 4119403, Arkansas 4099753 72205
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc.

    Tarzana, California 91356
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc.

    Tarzana 5401143, California 5332921 91356
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Liberation Programs, Inc.

    Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Liberation Programs, Inc.

    Bridgeport 5282804, Connecticut 4831725 06610
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Operation PAR

    Clearwater, Florida 33760
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Gateway Community Services

    Jacksonville, Florida 32204
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Aspire Health Partners

    Orlando, Florida 32806
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Operation PAR

    Clearwater 4151316, Florida 4155751 33760
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Gateway Community Services

    Jacksonville 4160021, Florida 4155751 32204
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Aspire Health Partners

    Orlando 4167147, Florida 4155751 32806
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Mountain Manor / Maryland Treatment Centers

    Baltimore, Maryland 21229
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Mountain Manor / Maryland Treatment Centers

    Baltimore 4347778, Maryland 4361885 21229
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • McLean Hospital

    Belmont, Massachusetts 02478
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, Inc.

    Fall River, Massachusetts 02720
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Square Medical Group, LLC

    Newton, Massachusetts 02458
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Square Medical Group, LLC

    Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • McLean Hospital

    Belmont 4930282, Massachusetts 6254926 02478
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, Inc.

    Fall River 4936159, Massachusetts 6254926 02720
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Square Medical Group, LLC

    Newton 4945283, Massachusetts 6254926 02458
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Gibson Center for Behavioral Change

    Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Gibson Center for Behavioral Change

    Cape Girardeau 4379966, Missouri 4398678 63703
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Dartmouth Hitchcock - ATP

    Lebanon, New Hampshire 03766
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Dartmouth Hitchcock - ATP

    Lebanon 5088597, New Hampshire 5090174 03766
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of New Mexico Addiction and Substance Abuse Program

    Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of New Mexico Addiction and Substance Abuse Program

    Albuquerque 5454711, New Mexico 5481136 87106
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Bellevue Hospital Center

    New York, New York 10016
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Bellevue Hospital Center

    New York 5128581, New York 5128638 10016
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Adapt Integrated Health Care

    Roseburg, Oregon 97470
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Adapt Integrated Health Care

    Winston, Oregon 97496
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Adapt Integrated Health Care

    Roseburg 5749352, Oregon 5744337 97470
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Adapt Integrated Health Care

    Winston 5761481, Oregon 5744337 97496
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Center for Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Services (CPCDS)

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Internal Medicine Recovery Engagement Program (IM-REP)

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Center for Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Services (CPCDS)

    Pittsburgh 5206379, Pennsylvania 6254927 15213
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Internal Medicine Recovery Engagement Program (IM-REP)

    Pittsburgh 5206379, Pennsylvania 6254927 15219
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Shoreline Behavioral Health Services

    Conway, South Carolina 29526
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Shoreline Behavioral Health Services

    Conway 4575461, South Carolina 4597040 29526
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Huntsman Mental Health Institute / University of Utah

    Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Huntsman Mental Health Institute / University of Utah

    Salt Lake City 5780993, Utah 5549030 84108
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Chestnut Ridge Center

    Morgantown, West Virginia 26505
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Chestnut Ridge Center

    Morgantown 4815352, West Virginia 4826850 26505
    United States

    Site Not Available

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