Social Media Intervention for Opioid Abuse

Overseen By Xiaoming Li

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of South Carolina

Disqualifiers: Substance use disorders, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new method to help young adults in the U.S. manage prescription opioid use through Instagram. It involves a 12-week peer-led program, called the Theory-based Social Media Intervention, designed to improve social skills and responsible opioid use. Participants will either join the Instagram-based program or complete surveys without the intervention. Individuals who have used prescription opioids without a doctor’s guidance in the last three months and are active on Instagram might be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could shape future interventions for opioid use.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on social media intervention for managing opioid use.

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 prior data suggests that this social media intervention is safe for young adults?

In a previous study, researchers developed a social media program to help young adults manage opioid use. This program uses Instagram to share information and teach skills through peer-led sessions. The goal is to change behaviors by providing information, motivation, and skills.

Solid data on the program's safety is not yet available from past studies because it represents a new type of intervention. However, its use of social media makes it low-risk compared to drug treatments. Participants primarily interact online, which is generally safe and well-tolerated. No reports of serious problems or side effects have emerged.

Overall, this method is considered a safe way to help young adults manage opioid use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the social media intervention for opioid abuse because it leverages a platform people frequently use—Instagram—to deliver support in a novel way. Unlike traditional treatments like medication-assisted therapy or counseling, this approach uses peer-led interactive modules to engage participants directly on social media. This method has the potential to reach individuals more effectively by integrating support into their daily online interactions, making it more accessible and relatable. The hope is that this innovative delivery could improve engagement and outcomes for those struggling with opioid abuse.

What evidence suggests that this social media intervention is effective for managing opioid use?

Research has shown that social media can change health habits by focusing on three main areas: providing information, boosting motivation, and teaching skills. This trial will test a theory-based social media intervention to help young adults manage their use of prescription opioids. Participants in the intervention group will receive 12-week peer-led interactive modules on Instagram. Although solid data from similar programs remains limited, early results suggest that peer support can increase participation and improve outcomes. This approach uses interactive lessons on platforms like Instagram to facilitate these changes. Overall, the goal is to reduce opioid misuse by helping participants better understand and manage their health. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults in the US who use prescription opioids without a medical reason. They should be willing to engage with an Instagram-based program and complete surveys. Those not interested or unable to participate in online activities, or have other substance abuse issues may not qualify.

Inclusion Criteria

I have used Instagram at least three times a week for the last three months.

From the U.S.

Engaged in non-medical use of prescription opioids in the past three months: taking prescription opioids without a doctor's prescription, taking more doses of prescription opioids than what a prescription allows, using prescription opioids for reasons other than a medical purpose

Exclusion Criteria

Diagnosed with substance use disorders

Receiving substance use interventions in the past three months

I am not fluent in English.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants in the intervention group receive 12-week peer-led intervention interactive modules on Instagram

12 weeks

Online surveys at 1st week and 12th week, brief evening surveys every two days

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Theory-based Social Media Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a peer-led intervention on Instagram designed to help manage non-medical opioid use and improve psychosocial skills. Participants will either join this 12-week program or be part of a control group that doesn't receive the intervention but still completes surveys.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: 12-week peer-led intervention group on Instagram Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in the intervention group will receive 12-week peer-led intervention interactive modules on Instagram.

Group II: Control group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the control group will not engage in any intervention activities.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

233

Recruited

122,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A survey conducted on Facebook gathered 527 valid responses from college students regarding their nonmedical use of prescription opioids, indicating that online platforms can effectively reach and engage this demographic.

The findings align with previous research on college students' substance use patterns, suggesting that social media can be a valuable tool for understanding and addressing prescription opioid misuse among young adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Connecting to young adults: an online social network survey of beliefs and attitudes associated with prescription opioid misuse among college students. Lord, S., Brevard, J., Budman, S.[2021]

The opioid overdose crisis has been recognized as a significant public health epidemic, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention strategies.

Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter can be valuable tools for understanding substance use patterns and attitudes, potentially enhancing screening, prevention, and treatment efforts for addiction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opportunities for Exploring and Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse Through Social Media. Scott, KR., Nelson, L., Meisel, Z., et al.[2016]

The study evaluated the HOPE social media intervention among UCLA patients on chronic opioid therapy, finding it to be an acceptable tool for reducing the risks of addiction and overdose.

Patients expressed that online social support is crucial for improving their outcomes, highlighting the need for tailored online peer support interventions to complement existing pain management strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Harnessing Online Peer Education (HOPE) Intervention for Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse: A Qualitative Study. Young, SD., Heinzerling, K.[2020]

A content analysis of 540 Twitter messages revealed that 69% were related to opioid behaviors, with a significant portion (84%) coming from individual users sharing personal experiences, primarily about misuse.

The most common reasons for personal opioid use included seeking a 'high' or using them for sleep, highlighting the prevalence of non-medical use, which can inform public health strategies to address opioid misuse.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Canary in the Coal Mine Tweets: Social Media Reveals Public Perceptions of Non-Medical Use of Opioids. Chan, B., Lopez, A., Sarkar, U.[2020]

A systematic review of eight studies found that social network support significantly improves treatment outcomes for patients receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), particularly highlighting the positive impact of family support.

The research suggests that while negative social ties can worsen addiction, enhancing positive social networks can amplify the effectiveness of MOUD, indicating that targeted interventions to strengthen these networks could improve recovery rates and combat the opioid crisis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of social network support in treatment outcomes for medication for opioid use disorder: A systematic review. Kumar, N., Oles, W., Howell, BA., et al.[2022]

A qualitative analysis of 2,100 tweets about prescription opioids revealed that a significant portion discussed abuse, indicating a prevalent concern regarding misuse in the context of the prescription drug epidemic.

Over 66% of the tweets had a positive connotation towards opioid use, whether for psychoactive effects or as pain relief, suggesting that social media reflects a complex perception of prescription opioids that may influence public attitudes and behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Drug Use in the Twittersphere: A Qualitative Contextual Analysis of Tweets About Prescription Drugs. Shutler, L., Nelson, LS., Portelli, I., et al.[2015]

The HOPE social media-based support group significantly increased patient engagement, with intervention participants making nearly 10 times more posts compared to the control group (411 posts vs. 45).

This online community facilitated discussions on important topics such as coping strategies, pain management, and opioid-related issues, indicating its potential as an effective behavioral intervention for patients at risk of opioid misuse.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of a social media/online community support group intervention among chronic pain patients on opioid therapy. Young, SD., Koussa, M., Lee, SJ., et al.[2020]

A thematic analysis of 1,010 Twitter posts revealed that the majority of discussions about opioid use disorder (OUD) were by general users, with a positive sentiment towards Naloxone, which was mentioned in 23.8% of posts.

The analysis highlighted that people with lived experience of opioid use (PWUOs) often discussed access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and their experiences with both MOUD and illicit substance use, indicating a need for better access and support in treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing perceptions about medications for opioid use disorder and Naloxone on Twitter. Tofighi, B., El Shahawy, O., Segoshi, A., et al.[2021]

Analysis of 1156 Instagram posts revealed that 50% depicted codeine misuse, often combined with soda (known as 'lean'), highlighting a concerning trend in how this substance is glamorized on social media.

The study found that codeine misuse is frequently associated with other substances like alcohol and cannabis, and is linked to hip-hop culture, suggesting that social media may play a role in normalizing and increasing the risk of codeine misuse and overdose.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Representations of Codeine Misuse on Instagram: Content Analysis. Cherian, R., Westbrook, M., Ramo, D., et al.[2019]

Citations

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Theory-Based Social Media Intervention for Nonmedical ... The proposed study will be one of the first efforts to develop and deliver a theory-based peer-led intervention on social media, incorporating empirical ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11982775/

Theory-Based Social Media Intervention for Nonmedical ... This model emphasizes that health behavior changes are driven by 3 arrays of psychosocial constructs—information, motivation, and behavioral skills. Information ...

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4. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK458653/

Evidence on Strategies for Addressing the Opioid Epidemic The purpose of this chapter is to review available evidence on strategies that have been used to address the problems of opioid misuse, OUD, and related deaths.

5. scienceopen.com scienceopen.com/document?vid=791a5dfa-8fd5-4abf-b65a-7755523555d5

Theory-Based Social Media Intervention for Nonmedical ... Theory-Based Social Media Intervention for Nonmedical Use of Prescription Opioids in Young Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

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A critical content analysis of media reporting on opioids We conducted a critical content analysis of Canadian newsprint media reporting on opioids using a sociological lens.

7. health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12961-020-00596-8

The opioid crisis: a contextual, social-ecological framework The prevalence of opioid use and misuse has provoked a staggering number of deaths over the past two and a half decades.