Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach in Combination With Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Severe Opioid Use

Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) Implementation in Combination With Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Young Adults Ages 18 to 25 With Severe Opioid Use Disorder

The study assesses whether adding a behavioral intervention, known as the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), to the treatment of individuals already receiving buprenorphine/naloxone can improve treatment success and retention rates in young adults with severe opioid use disorder.

Buprenorphine is one of the medication assisted treatments approved by the FDA for opioid use disorders. Treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone may reduce the risk of opioid overdose and lower the occurrence of further conditions associated with injection drug use such as psychiatric disorders, hepatitis C infection, HIV, and high-risk sexual and criminal behaviors. The study assesses whether adding a behavioral intervention, known as the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), to the treatment of individuals already receiving buprenorphine/naloxone can improve treatment success and retention rates in young adults with severe opioid use disorder.

Inclusion Criteria:

• have met DSM-5 criteria for severe opioid use disorder
• no sensitivity to buprenorphine or naloxone
• no further medical/addictive conditions that require immediate medical attention
• ability to read and provide informed consent
• intent to remain in the area for the duration of the study
• able to receive outpatient care
• agreed to use an acceptable birth control method throughout the duration of this study (female participants)

Exclusion Criteria:

• endorsement of imminent and serious suicidality
• medical conditions that take precedence over the presence of treatment for an addictive disorder
• history of an adverse reaction to buprenorphine/naloxone
• current substance use or psychiatric condition requiring a level of care higher than outpatient
• pregnant, nursing or planning pregnancy during the extent of the treatment trial(female participants)