Low-income and racial/ethnic minorities suffer disproportionately from the opioid use disorder (OUD) crisis, evidencing consistently lower rates of critical treatment outcomes, including medication for OUD (MOUD) engagement and retention. While these individuals exhibited a need for evidence-based care prior to the pandemic, low-income, racial/ethnic minority populations have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, as have persons with SUDs.~Peer Recovery Coaches (PRC) are individuals with lived-experiences with substance use who have been certified by the state to assist in treatment recovery. Because of similarities between PRCs and substance use clients, PRCs can overcome many of the barriers that clients face to engaging and staying in MOUD treatment, such as stigma. goal of the current project is to conduct an open-label pilot trial to examine the feasibility, acceptability and accessibility of a PRC-led intervention to support retention in MOUD care.~This project proposes to develop a novel and sustainable model for improving retention in MOUD treatment by training PRCs to deliver an evidence-based intervention (EBI), Behavioral Activation (BA). BA seeks to increase the positive reinforcement patients experience from their natural environment by promoting prosocial and valued experiences. BA has been found to improve substance use treatment retention and adherence, as well as medication adherence in low-income individuals with HIV/AIDS. To that end, the following goal is proposed: to evaluate the preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the PRC- delivered BA approach. An open-label pilot trial (n=40) of the adapted PRC-delivered BA intervention and training protocol in a representative agency in Detroit, MI serving a low-income, predominantly African-American population will be conducted. Findings from this phase of the project will be used to re-adapt the manual and training procedures.
This project aims to implement a peer-led intervention to support retention and adherence to medications for opioid use disorder among low-income adults in Detroit, as well as a training manual for peer recovery coaches serving similar populations. The approach will serve as a guide to coaches in providing positive reinforcement and helping those in treatment to schedule and engage in valued activities. Researchers will examine the effectiveness of the intervention, supervision and training models, and share results with policymakers and treatment programs.