The study is a 12-week, randomized, active-control, open-label, early phase II effectiveness trial of telemedicine treatment using sublingual buprenorphine as compared to in person clinic treatment with sublingual buprenorphine for outpatients seeking treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). This telehealth protocol serves as a model of the integration of evidence-based practices in medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and could be used by non addiction specialists at scale. The primary outcome will be time to dropout. Participants will have daily study visits (either in person or remote) during the initial buprenorphine induction week and then twice per week during the maintenance phase (either in person or remote) over the 12-week trial. Remote visits will be conducted using the HIPAA-compliant technology, FaceTime and/or Webex.
This study will compare in-person induction and maintenance dosing of sublingual buprenorphine to induction and maintenance dosing of sublingual buprenorphine through comprehensive telehealth sessions and telehealth medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).