"HEAL together": a randomized, hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial protocol of a peer-delivered behavioral activation intervention to improve methadone treatment retention

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2025

Publication Title

Front Public Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although medications exist to effectively treat opioid use disorder (OUD), treatment retention is a pressing challenge. Peer recovery specialists (PRSs) may play an important role in OUD treatment retention, yet few evidence-based interventions to support OUD retention have been developed specifically for PRS delivery. Behavioral activation is a brief, reinforcement-based intervention with empirical support for improving depression and substance use outcomes, delivered typically by specialist mental health providers. Informed by key stakeholder feedback, our team adapted a behavioral activation and problem-solving intervention for PRS delivery ("

METHODS: The trial is being conducted at a large methadone treatment program in Baltimore City, Maryland. We are enrolling 200 patients who recently initiated methadone treatment or are experiencing challenges with methadone adherence in a randomized 1:1 ratio to receive

DISCUSSION: This trial will provide insight as to whether a PRS-delivered intervention may be effective and feasible for improving methadone treatment retention and other behavioral health outcomes. If findings are promising,

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05299515.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Methadone; Peer Group; Opioid-Related Disorders; Opiate Substitution Treatment; Behavior Therapy; Adult; Male; Female; Baltimore; Middle Aged; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

PubMed ID

40756389

Volume

13

First Page

1637846

Last Page

1637846

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