Peer Recovery Support for Opioid Use Disorder

(PEERS Trial)

Overseen By Project Manager

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Geisinger Clinic

Must be taking: Opioid treatment medications

Disqualifiers: Non-English proficiency, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if adding peer recovery support can help people adhere to their medication treatment for opioid use disorder. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will receive standard care with medication, while the other will also receive support from someone who has experienced recovery (Peer Recovery Support Program). The trial seeks individuals who began medication treatment for opioid use disorder within the last 45 days at a Geisinger clinic and are willing to participate. As an unphased trial, this study offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative approaches in supporting recovery.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop your current medications. It focuses on adding peer recovery support to your existing treatment for opioid use disorder.

What prior data suggests that the Peer Recovery Support Program is safe for improving retention in medication treatment for opioid use disorder?

Research has shown that peer recovery support programs are generally safe and well-received by people with opioid use disorder. Studies have found that those receiving peer support are more likely to begin and continue medication treatment for their condition, leading to better health outcomes.

For safety, peer recovery support involves trained individuals with personal experience in helping others. This support does not include new medications or medical procedures, reducing the risk of physical side effects. Instead, it focuses on providing emotional and social support, making it a safe addition to standard care.

Overall, existing studies suggest that peer recovery support programs effectively help people remain in treatment for opioid use disorder. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Peer Recovery Support Program because it adds a personal touch to the standard medication treatment for opioid use disorder. Unlike typical treatments that focus solely on medication like methadone or buprenorphine, this program includes support from a peer recovery support specialist. These specialists have personally experienced recovery and can offer unique insights and encouragement, potentially making the recovery process more relatable and effective. This human connection could enhance engagement and success in treatment, offering a promising complement to traditional medical approaches.

What evidence suggests that peer recovery support is effective for improving retention in medication treatment for opioid use disorder?

Research has shown that peer recovery support can improve treatment outcomes for people with opioid use disorder. In this trial, one group of participants will receive standard care, including medication treatment for opioid use disorder. Another group will receive standard care plus peer recovery support. One study found that peer support services increased the likelihood of starting medication treatment by 3.4% within 60 days. Other research indicates that peer support can strengthen connections with healthcare providers and support networks, helping to reduce substance use and relapses. Overall, these programs positively impact adherence to medication treatment for opioid use disorder. ^{3 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Melissa Poulsen, PhD

Principal Investigator

Geisinger Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with opioid use disorder who are receiving medication treatment. Participants must be willing to complete questionnaires and allow access to their medical records. Specific inclusion or exclusion criteria aren't provided, but typically these would relate to factors like age, health status, and prior treatments.

Inclusion Criteria

Initiated medication for opioid use disorder treatment in past 45 days in a Geisinger outpatient clinic

Willing and able to give informed consent

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Not proficient in English

I received opioid addiction treatment at a Geisinger clinic in the last 90 days.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive standard care medication treatment for opioid use disorder, with group 1 also receiving peer recovery support for up to 6 months

6 months

Regular clinic visits as per standard care

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for retention in treatment and length of time in treatment

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Peer Recovery Support Program

Trial Overview The study is testing if adding peer recovery support—guidance from someone who has overcome addiction themselves—to standard care helps patients stick with their opioid use disorder medication treatment better than standard care alone.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Standard Care + Peer Recovery Support Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

In addition to standard care (medication treatment for opioid use disorder), study participants will receive support provided by a peer recovery support specialist

Group II: Standard Care Active Control 1 Intervention

Study participants will receive the standard care - medication treatment for opioid use disorder

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Geisinger Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

159

Recruited

1,976,000+

UConn Health

Collaborator

Trials

218

Recruited

59,100+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11322658/

Peer support for patients with opioid use disorder in the ... In this narrative review, we synthesize the existing evidence on how to develop and implement peer programs for OUD in the ED setting.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871621006189

Effectiveness of peer recovery support services on stages ... This study systematically synthesized existing literature reporting the effectiveness of PRSS interventions on stages of the OUD treatment cascade.

3. bloustein.rutgers.edu bloustein.rutgers.edu/new-research-peer-support-after-opioid-overdose/

Impact of Peer Support After Opioid Overdose Implementation of the OORP was associated with an increase of 0.034 (95% CI, 0.004-0.064) in the probability of 60-day MOUD initiation in the half-year after ...

4. harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-024-01041-7

Is peer support a tipping point for the opioid use disorder crisis ... Qualitative findings suggest that PRSS can enhance relationships with providers and social support networks, reduce SUD and relapse rates, and ...

5. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2816733

Emergency Department Peer Support Program and Patient ... In this cohort study of patients treated for opioid overdose, OORP implementation was associated with an increase in MOUD initiation and a decrease in repeat ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10964115/

Emergency Department Peer Support Program and Patient ... The findings suggest that ED-based peer recovery support is associated with increased postdischarge MOUD receipt, but outcomes likely depend on ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196064425009965

Treatment Initiation and Outcomes Associated With Receipt ... OORP participants (N=1,383 events) initiated medication for opioid use disorder at higher rates than nonparticipants (15% versus 12%; hazard ...

8. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1533051/full

Peer support service activity prevalence by setting: a nine- ... Peer worker respondents (N = 659) had an average of 9 years in recovery (M = 9.3, SD = 8.5). Forty-four (44%) percent had previous criminal ...