Peer Support for Substance Use Disorder

Overseen By Elle Wang, MSc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Disqualifiers: Under 18, No substance use

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

3181 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how peer support workers (PSWs) can assist individuals with substance use issues in the emergency department (ED). PSWs, who have personal experience with substance use, provide support to make patients feel more comfortable and less likely to leave the ED early. The trial aims to determine if the presence of PSWs reduces barriers to care and encourages patients to remain for necessary treatment. Individuals who have visited the Vancouver General Hospital ED, use substances, and are open to or can decline support from PSWs are well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative approaches in patient care.

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that this peer support program is safe for patients with substance use disorder?

Research has shown that peer support workers (PSWs) are generally safe and well-received. With personal experience in substance use and recovery, PSWs effectively assist others facing similar challenges. For example, programs involving PSWs have led to reduced substance use, fewer relapses, and longer treatment participation.

Since this approach focuses on support rather than medication or medical procedures, it poses little risk of physical side effects. PSWs provide emotional and practical support, which is often viewed positively. This makes the PSW method a safe option for those seeking help with substance use issues. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using Peer Support Workers (PSWs) for treating Substance Use Disorder because this approach leverages personal experience to foster understanding and connection. Unlike traditional treatments that might rely heavily on medication or therapy sessions, PSWs provide real-life support and empathy, which can be incredibly motivating and relatable for patients. This human-centered approach aims to create a supportive network, potentially leading to better engagement and improved recovery outcomes.

What evidence suggests that peer support workers are effective for substance use disorder?

Research has shown that peer support workers (PSWs) can effectively assist people with substance use issues. In this trial, some participants will receive services from PSWs, who have personal experience with addiction, potentially leading to better outcomes. For instance, PSWs can prevent patients from leaving emergency departments prematurely by making them feel more comfortable and understood. Additional research suggests that involving PSWs in treatment can reduce death rates by encouraging patients to complete their care. Overall, peer support is becoming a recognized and valuable component of substance use recovery programs. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jessica Moe, MD

Principal Investigator

University of British Columbia

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with high-risk opioid use who often visit emergency departments. It's designed to see if having Peer Support Workers, who have personal experience with substance use, can help patients feel more comfortable and less likely to leave before their care is finished.

Inclusion Criteria

Identified as using substances

I am 18 years old or older.

I can choose to accept or decline peer support services during my emergency department visit.

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

Does not report substance use

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Implementation and Evaluation

Implementation of the Peer Support Worker (PSW) program in the emergency department and evaluation of its feasibility and acceptability

48 weeks

Ongoing interactions during ED visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as patient acceptability and PSW interaction documentation

Up to 15 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Peer Support Workers

Trial Overview The study tests a program where Peer Support Workers offer support in the emergency department to those at risk due to opioid use. The goal is to improve patient comfort, ensure they complete their care, and provide harm-reduction resources effectively.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Peer support service Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients presenting with substance use related complaints during days and times where a Peer is available to provide services, as per an a priori, randomized schedule

Group II: No Peer intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients with substance use presentations who present to EDs on days and times when a Peer is not available, as per an a priori, randomized schedule

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of British Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,506

Recruited

2,528,000+

Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

30

Recruited

5,600+

BC Centers for Disease Control

Collaborator

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5047716/

Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction Residential and sober living. Since the 1960s, a variety of residential options have emerged to help people with alcohol and drug addictions.

2. healthandjusticejournal.biomedcentral.com healthandjusticejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40352-025-00358-0

Peer support services for individuals with health-related needs ... Peer support services (PSS) have become increasingly formalized in many healthcare settings. While use of PSS in the criminal-legal space is ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1976131722000494

Roles and Effects of Peer Recovery Coach Intervention in ... Purpose. There are ongoing public initiatives to help substance abusers by involving peer recovery coaches (PRCs) in the field of substance abuse worldwide.

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1529078/full

Systematizing peer recovery support services for ... BackgroundRecovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex and individualized process requiring multifaceted support systems. Peer ...

5. psychiatryonline.org psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.201400047

Peer Recovery Support for Individuals With Substance Use ... Use of peers in some aspects of treatment is now commonly accepted as part of the continuum of services to promote recovery from substance use disorders. Peer ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11935349/

Workforce outcomes among substance use peer supports Peer recovery support services (PRSS) are delivered by individuals (“peers”) who share lived or living experience with the populations they ...

7. samhsa.gov samhsa.gov/technical-assistance/brss-tacs/peer-support-workers

Peer Support Workers for those in Recovery Peer support workers are people who have been successful in the recovery process who help others experiencing similar situations.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949875924001206

Exploring the role of peer workers in alcohol and other ... Through their own lived experience peer workers were able to support clients and assist them in their recovery. These findings highlight the potential benefit ...

9. harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-023-00853-3

a qualitative study exploring the role of peer support in ... Peer support can facilitate service engagement and has been associated with positive substance use recovery outcomes in adults, yet few studies ...