Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Young Houston Emergency Opioid Engagement System

ConditionsOpioid-use DisorderOpioid DependenceOpioid OverdoseOpioid UseSubstance Use Disorders
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phasePhase 4
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age13-17
SponsorThe University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

About this trial

The Houston Emergency Response Opioid Engagement System for Youths and Adolescents (Young HEROES) is a community-based research program integrating assertive outreach, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), behavioral counseling, and peer recovery support. The objective is to compare differences in engagement and retention in treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder. The investigators also intend to understand the prevalence of opioid overdoses and OUD among youth in Houston.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

In otherwise good health based on physician assessment and medical history

Drug screen positive for opioids

Patients express a willingness to stop opioid use

Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for opioid dependence

Disqualifiers

Non-English-speaking patients

Have a known sensitivity to buprenorphine or naloxone

Be physiologically dependent on alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other drugs of abuse that require immediate medical attention. Other substance use diagnoses are not exclusionary.

Have a medical condition that would, in the opinion of the study physician, make participation medically hazardous, including unstable cardiovascular disease, neurological deficits, trauma, acute hepatitis, stroke, and liver or renal disease)

Trial design

Design model

Single group

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination

    Drug

    8mg of buprenorphine/2mg of naloxone to initiate MOUD treatment and bridge, if necessary, until referral to MOUD clinic can be made for ongoing treatment

  • Individual Counseling

    Behavioral

    One-on-one counseling with a licensed chemical dependency counselor

  • Peer Recovery Support Services

    Behavioral

    24/7 support from our team of certified peer recovery support specialists to assist with emotional support and case management

  • Support Group

    Behavioral

    Referrals to youth-focused support groups and eventual creation of in-house youth-focused support groups

  • Referral to Medication Management

    Behavioral

    Study staff will refer patients to long-term MOUD providers in the community

  • Assertive Outreach

    Behavioral

    The investigators will conduct weekly outreach to youths who experienced an opioid overdose and attempt to initiate treatment. Outreach is completed by a paramedic and peer coach.

Treatment groups

250 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group
Group A: MOUD induction and behavioral interventions among opioid-dependent youthsExperimental treatment 6 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Patient retention in treatment

Percentage of enrolled youth in treatment over time

Time frame
30 days after enrollment
2

Patient abstinence from opioids

Days without substance use

Time frame
30 days after enrollment

Secondary outcomes

1

Frequency of opioid emergencies among adolescents in Houston, Texas

Prevalence of opioid overdoses among youth

Time frame
Through study completion, an average of 3 years

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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