TCU Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model for Opioid Addiction

(JCOIN_TCU Trial)

Overseen By Jennifer Becan, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Texas Christian University

Disqualifiers: No opioid use history, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing a program that helps people who have been involved with the justice system get better access to opioid addiction treatment. It focuses on identifying those in need, connecting them to treatment providers, reducing stigma, and addressing other challenges they face when returning to their communities.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the TCU Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model (O-TLM) for opioid addiction?

The TCU Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model (O-TLM) may be effective as it helps people with opioid addiction access treatment and recovery resources, similar to how linkage facilitation services improve access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Additionally, integrating opioid addiction treatment with primary care, as seen in other models, has shown improved treatment retention and reduced hospital stays, suggesting potential benefits for O-TLM. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the TCU Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model generally safe for humans?

The research articles do not provide specific safety data for the TCU Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model or related treatments like Suboxone, Zubsolv, or Bunavail. However, they discuss the importance of retention in opioid treatment and the use of data science to improve outcomes, which suggests ongoing efforts to enhance treatment safety and effectiveness. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

What makes the TCU Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model (O-TLM) unique compared to other opioid addiction treatments?

The TCU Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model (O-TLM) is unique because it focuses on linkage facilitation services, which help individuals overcome barriers to accessing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). This approach is particularly valuable for ensuring that patients can start and continue their treatment effectively, addressing a critical gap in treatment access. ^{1 2 3 7 11}

Research Team

Danica K Knight, PhD

Principal Investigator

Texas Christian University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for key community staff involved in service assessment and referrals, as well as individuals with a history of opioid use or at risk after release under supervision to participating communities. It excludes those not involved in referral processes or without opioid use risks.

Inclusion Criteria

client level participant eligibility includes having a history of opioid use or at risk for opioid use after release; being released to a participating community while under supervision

staff level participant eligibility includes being a key member of a participating community and involved in the service assessment and referral process of justice-involved individuals.

Exclusion Criteria

staff level participant exclusion criteria include not being a key member of a participating community and not being involved in the service assessment and referral process of justice-involved individuals.

no history of opioid use or being at risk of opioid use; not being released to a participating community.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Study 1

Gather information from staff on the current treatment referral process and learn about interrelationships between medical and community behavioral health providers

6 months

Study 2

Recruitment across 18 community collaboration sites to participate in the TCU Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model (O-TLM) protocol

12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for public health and safety outcomes, including reduction in rearrest rates and illicit drug use

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• TCU Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model (O-TLM) (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The TCU JCOIN project tests the Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model (O-TLM), aiming to improve screening, linkage to treatment providers, reduce stigma, and enhance public health and safety outcomes among justice-involved individuals.

Participant Groups

Group I: Horizontal implementation approach Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The Horizontal implementation approach of the O-TLM intervention is accompanied by facilitated collaboration between Criminal Justice and Community Behavioral Health systems. Direct involvement of stakeholders with differing perspectives and buy-in from agency leadership and policymakers are key elements. The Horizontal approach involves first developing a prototype (including how to modify existing practices, overcome implementation barriers, and manage roles and responsibilities) that are tested and refined before being rolled out systematically to other units within an agency.

Group II: Vertical implementation approach Active Control 1 Intervention

The Vertical implementation approach of the O-TLM intervention relies on the traditional criminal justice system's typical use of a hierarchical structure and the use of a top-down implementation approach (i.e., administrative orders) for directing change. Top-down regulatory and policy changes are viewed as vital levers for driving system change.

TCU Opioid-Treatment Linkage Model (O-TLM) is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

Approved in Canada as Suboxone for:

• Opioid use disorder

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Texas Christian University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

31

Recruited

4,400+

University of New Mexico

Collaborator

Trials

393

Recruited

3,526,000+

Loyola University

Collaborator

Trials

161

Recruited

31,400+

Findings from Research

The article introduces a comprehensive taxonomy of linkage facilitation services designed to help individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) access treatment and recovery resources, addressing significant barriers to care.

Developed through expert consensus, the taxonomy includes eight key domains that outline the roles, activities, and goals of linkage services, aiming to standardize practices and improve research in the field of OUD treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Linkage facilitation services for opioid use disorder: Taxonomy of facilitation practitioners, goals, and activities. Hogue, A., Satcher, MF., Drazdowski, TK., et al.[2023]

Implementing the Collaborative Care Model (CCM) in primary care for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) significantly increased the number of providers prescribing buprenorphine and the number of patients receiving treatment, demonstrating improved access to care.

The model not only effectively addressed OUD but also helped manage common psychiatric comorbidities like anxiety and depression, although some primary care providers remained hesitant to participate, indicating a need for further education and support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multidisciplinary treatment of opioid use disorder in primary care using the collaborative care model. Brackett, CD., Duncan, M., Wagner, JF., et al.[2022]

The analysis identified the top 100 'critical access' medication opioid use disorder (MOUD) facilities across the continental U.S., highlighting that many are located in rural areas, which are often underserved in terms of addiction treatment.

A significant number of these critical access providers (77 out of 100) offer buprenorphine, while others provide naltrexone and methadone, indicating a diverse range of treatment options available, but also revealing that many regions rely heavily on a single provider for MOUD services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Critical access medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment facilities in the continental United States. Pollack, HA., Lee, F., Paykin, S., et al.[2023]

The Hub and Spoke model significantly increased access to buprenorphine for patients with opioid use disorder, reaching 45.48% of patients over 2 years, with 78.85% receiving a prescription after initial intake.

Patients in the program were 2.44 times more likely to receive a buprenorphine prescription compared to those at a site without the Hub and Spoke model, indicating its effectiveness in improving treatment access.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

(RE-)AIMing for Rapid Uptake: Pilot Evaluation of a Modified Hub and Spoke Model of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder. Heavey, SC., Beehler, GP., Funderburk, J.[2023]

Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving integrated care at the Comprehensive Care Practice (CCP) had a significantly higher retention rate in buprenorphine treatment over 6 months (79% vs. 61%) compared to those treated at other facilities, indicating improved treatment adherence.

The integrated care model at CCP not only led to fewer hospital stays (0.22 vs. 0.41) but also resulted in lower overall healthcare costs ($10,942 vs. $13,097), demonstrating that combining primary care with OUD treatment can enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare expenses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integration of Buprenorphine Treatment with Primary Care: Comparative Effectiveness on Retention, Utilization, and Cost. Hsu, YJ., Marsteller, JA., Kachur, SG., et al.[2020]

In a study of 16,576 individuals entering opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for the first time, the 12-month cessation rate was found to be 58.4%, highlighting the need for improved retention strategies in OAT.

Key predictors of earlier cessation included treatment factors like private dosing points and buprenorphine medication, as well as social factors such as homelessness and outpatient treatment for drug use disorders, suggesting that addressing these issues could enhance retention in OAT.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using administrative data to predict cessation risk and identify novel predictors among new entrants to opioid agonist treatment. Bharat, C., Degenhardt, L., Dobbins, T., et al.[2021]

In a study of 255,726 Veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD), 15.8% received buprenorphine medication treatment (B-MOUD), with a significant increase in treatment courses over time, from 1550 in 2007 to 8146 in 2018.

Patients receiving B-MOUD had a median treatment duration of 157 days, with 33.8% undergoing multiple treatment courses, indicating that B-MOUD is a commonly utilized and persistent treatment option for managing OUD in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Buprenorphine use and courses of care for opioid use disorder treatment within the Veterans Health Administration. Gordon, AJ., Saxon, AJ., Kertesz, S., et al.[2023]

A study involving 468 Medicaid-enrolled individuals found that a mobile engagement unit significantly increased access to outpatient substance use treatment services and methadone maintenance for those with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Participants transported by the mobile unit showed a 23 percentage point increase in outpatient treatment utilization and a 32 percentage point increase in methadone maintenance compared to those who accessed treatment through traditional referral routes, indicating the effectiveness of mobile units in connecting underserved populations to necessary care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transporting to treatment: Evaluating the effectiveness of a mobile engagement unit. Stewart, RE., Shen, L., Kwon, N., et al.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Linkage facilitation services for opioid use disorder: Taxonomy of facilitation practitioners, goals, and activities. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multidisciplinary treatment of opioid use disorder in primary care using the collaborative care model. [2022]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Critical access medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment facilities in the continental United States. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

(RE-)AIMing for Rapid Uptake: Pilot Evaluation of a Modified Hub and Spoke Model of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integration of Buprenorphine Treatment with Primary Care: Comparative Effectiveness on Retention, Utilization, and Cost. [2020]

6. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using administrative data to predict cessation risk and identify novel predictors among new entrants to opioid agonist treatment. [2021]

7. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optimizing opioid use disorder treatment with naltrexone or buprenorphine. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of Health Trajectories Leading to Adverse Opioid-Related Events. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using data science to improve outcomes for persons with opioid use disorder. [2023]

10. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Buprenorphine use and courses of care for opioid use disorder treatment within the Veterans Health Administration. [2023]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transporting to treatment: Evaluating the effectiveness of a mobile engagement unit. [2021]