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MABT Study Partner Toolkit

Posted on by Susan Herron

 

MABT Study Partner Toolkit

Resources

Links

Sample Blog Post

Study Finds Mindful Awareness in Body-Oriented Therapy Combined with Medication for Opioid Use Disorder May Improve Outcomes

New study results show that a mindfulness-based intervention may help to improve mental and physical outcomes critical to the success of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment. Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) is an intervention that promotes self-care and enhances the management of emotional and physical needs by teaching interoceptive awareness skills, or the way a person senses and understands sensations in the body. The study examined whether receiving MABT along with MOUD could reduce opioid or substance use, decrease pain and physical symptom frequency, and improve mental health symptoms to support MOUD treatment and recovery.

Mindful Awareness in Body-Oriented Therapy (MABT)

MABT combines manual techniques, including gentle touch and bodywork, with mindfulness practices and education to help people learn to tune into their body’s experience.  The goal is to help develop and increase capacity for physical awareness (introspection), emotional awareness and related care strategies. The therapeutic intervention administered by trained, certified therapists was developed by Cynthia Price, Ph.D., a research professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Washington. MABT is designed so that different types of health care practitioners can easily incorporate the approach into current care strategies.

MABT and MOUD Research

During the MABT study, which lasted for one year, 303 participants from six outpatient clinics were randomly assigned to receive either MABT with MOUD or MOUD treatment only. The MABT program was administered by trained, certified therapists over the course of three months: eight sessions total, once per week for 75 minutes each. The study found that participants who received MABT with MOUD showed significant improvement in mental and physical symptoms critical to the success of MOUD treatment. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, interoceptive awareness, pain severity, pain activity interference, and physical symptom frequency. However, levels of substance use among both groups of participants were low at the start of the study and did not change significantly during the course of the research.

Participants stated that learning this approach helped them to develop new ways to manage or regulate their emotions and highlighted the importance of these skills for supporting their treatment and long-term recovery. One participant said, “Learning to connect with what my body is telling me has helped strengthen my recovery process and taught me how to better cope with certain things during stressful times.”

 “For many in treatment, MABT gives them the one-on-one therapeutic support needed to learn to deeply attend to their bodies,” says Dr. Price. “People learn to develop, practice, and trust their own ability to use new strategies for awareness and self-care, and shift away from the automatic responses to stress and pain that undermine the goals of recovery.”

These initial findings expand on prior research showing that MABT has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for people with substance use disorder.

 

Read more about the MABT Study
Watch a video on MABT
Learn about MABT training

MABT Video

Learn more about MABT. Watch and share the video below on Vimeo

Key Takeaways

  • Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) is an intervention that promotes self-care and enhances the management of emotional and physical needs by teaching interoceptive awareness skills, or the way a person senses, understands, and processes sensations in the body.
  • MABT combines manual techniques, including gentle touch and bodywork, with mindfulness practices and education to learn how to tune into the body’s experience, increase self-awareness, and develop related self-care strategies.
  • One potential benefit of interoceptive awareness training is that it may facilitate well-being and support recovery for those receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment.
      • Reduce short-term opioid or substance use
      • Decrease pain and physical symptom frequency
      • Improve mental health symptoms critical to supporting MOUD treatment.
  • The study, which lasted for one year, enrolled 303 individuals from six outpatient clinics who were randomly assigned to receive either MABT with MOUD or MOUD treatment only.
  • At the start of the study, levels of overall substance use were already low in both groups and the results showed that MABT did not further reduce short-term opioid or substance use compared to MOUD only. However, the study found that MABT coupled with MOUD improved mental and physical symptoms critical to the success of MOUD treatment including post-traumatic stress disorders, interoceptive awareness, pain severity, pain activity interference, and physical symptom frequency.
  • These findings expand on prior research showing MABT’s potential to improve treatment outcomes for people with substance use disorder.

Infographics

Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT)  

Download the infographic

The Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) Study  

Download the infographic

 Social Media Posts 

  • #MindfulAwareness in Body-oriented Therapy combines mindfulness, education, & manual techniques like gentle touch & bodywork to help people tune into their bodies, increase self-awareness, & develop self-care strategies. Read more  #nihHEALinitiative
    [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11654914/pdf/nihms-2038462.pdf]
  • New @NIH-funded study shows #MindfulAwareness in Body-oriented Therapy added to medication for #OUD improved mental and physical symptoms critical to the success of the treatment. Read more  #nihHEALinitiative
    [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11654914/pdf/nihms-2038462.pdf]
  • Data from new study funded by the @NIH shows #MindfulAwareness in Body-oriented Therapy added to #OUD medication helped to decrease pain and improve mental and physical symptoms that support treatment. Read more  #nihHEALinitiative
    [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11654914/pdf/nihms-2038462.pdf]
  • New #clinicaltrial combining Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy and #OUD medication shows that helping patients tune into their bodies may boost well-being and support recovery. Read more  #nihHEALinitiative
    [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11654914/pdf/nihms-2038462.pdf]
  • In new research funded by the @NIH, participants receiving Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy and medication for #OUD showed improved levels of pain, physical symptoms, and mental health critical to supporting treatment. Read more  #nihHEALinitiative
    [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11654914/pdf/nihms-2038462.pdf]
  • Increased awareness, acceptance, self-care, and self-agency; reduced symptomatic distress; and improved emotional regulation were all demonstrated benefits of Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy plus medication for #OUD in a recent NIH-funded study. Read more  #nihHEALinitiative
     [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11654914/pdf/nihms-2038462.pdf]]

Graphics

Download the images below to use with your blog and social media posts.

HEAL Connections is a center that is jointly run by Duke Clinical Research Institute and George Mason University and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®. HEAL Connections is aimed at supporting widespread dissemination and implementation of HEAL-funded research. HEAL Connections is funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative under OTA numbers: 1OT20D034479 and 1OT2OD034481.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

 

MORE Study Partner Toolkit

Posted on by Susan Herron

 

MORE Study Partner Toolkit

Resources

Links

Sample Blog Post

New Study Shows Mindfulness Therapy May Boost Effectiveness of Methadone Treatment for People with Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain

Improving treatment outcomes is a key factor in combatting the opioid epidemic. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 8.9 million people in the U.S. over the age of 12 misused opioids and 5.7 million had an opioid use disorder (OUD).1 While methadone is the most common medication for OUD,2 data shows more than half of people who begin treatment stop within the first year.3 Of those who continue to participate in methadone treatment programs, 50% return to substance use within six months.4

While work to improve these outcomes continues, a recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry provides hope. It shows that adding Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) therapy to methadone treatment may help to increase OUD treatment adherence and effectiveness in people with OUD and chronic pain.

The study revealed that participants who received eight weeks of MORE therapy along with the standard methadone treatment plan had a 42% greater reduction in substance use and a 59% greater decline in treatment discontinuation rates after 16 weeks compared to participants who were only on the standard methadone treatment plan.

Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) Therapy

MORE, an evidence-based behavioral group therapy developed by Eric Garland, Ph.D., LCSW, Endowed Professor at the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at University of California San Diego, combines mindfulness training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and principles from positive psychology into a single, integrated therapeutic approach.

The MORE program seeks to improve standard methadone treatment outcomes by expanding skills in three key areas:

  1. Mindfulness, or training present-moment attention and awareness, to improve self-regulation of substance use and reduce pain
  2. Reappraisal, or reframing negative thoughts about a stressful situation, to regulate negative emotions and reduce craving
  3. Savoring, or appreciation and enjoyment of natural healthy rewards, to increase pleasure and encourage positive emotions

Researchers have now studied MORE therapy in 12 clinical trials where it has demonstrated efficacy for reducing opioid use, craving, emotional distress, and pain.5-10

Anna Parisi, Ph.D., assistant professor at George Mason University, is a clinical social worker who has provided MORE therapy since 2021. Her experience with the approach has also been positive.

“MORE is unique not only in its ability to reduce craving, substance use, and physical and emotional pain, but also its focus on teaching participants how to reconnect with the natural sources of pleasure and joy in their daily lives,” says Parisi. “I've seen participants strengthen their relationships with their children and families, rediscover lost hobbies and experience a renewed sense of connection and fulfillment with the world around them.”

MORE Study Results

Nina Cooperman, Psy.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University, led the most recent MORE study, which was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at the National Institutes of Health.

The study included 154 people with OUD and chronic pain. The participants were divided into two groups. The first group received the standard methadone treatment plan plus eight weeks of MORE therapy. The second group received only the standard methadone treatment plan.

After 16 weeks, nearly 84% of participants receiving only the standard care plan were still taking their methadone treatment as prescribed. In contrast, over 95% of the participants receiving MORE therapy plus the standard care plan adhered to their methadone treatment. Participants in the MORE therapy group also showed a significant decrease in substance use, pain, and depression. Further research is needed to provide additional long-term outcome data and compare MORE to other interventions.

Learn More About MORE

As clinicians have become aware of the research results, many have expressed interest in learning about MORE therapy. To date, over 1,000 providers, such as doctors, therapists, and others who specialize in OUD treatment, have completed MORE therapy training provided by the study team.

Many clinicians, like Trish Dooley Budsock, M.A., LPC, a program manager in the Division of Addiction Psychiatry in the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers, use MORE therapy in their practice and have provided positive feedback on the program results:

“As someone who has worked in a variety of addiction settings since 1995, I have witnessed an extraordinary amount of suffering in individuals struggling with addictive and co-occurring disorders. I was trained in MORE in late 2018 and began delivering sessions in 2019. This is an intervention that has demonstrated both during in-person and virtual settings a level of healing that I have not seen in any other treatment approach I have provided.”

Read the MORE Study manuscript

Learn about MORE training

 

REFERENCES

  1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP24-07-021, NSDUH Series H-59). Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2023-nsduh-annual-national-report
  2. Volkow ND, Frieden TR, Hyde PS, Cha SS. Medication-assisted therapies—tackling the opioid-overdose epidemic. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(22):2063-2066. doi:1056/NEJMp1402780
  3. Bao YP, Liu ZM, Epstein DH, Du C, Shi J, Lu L. A meta-analysis of retention in methadone maintenance by dose and dosing strategy. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2009;35(1):28-33. doi:10.1080/00952990802342899
  4. Naji L, Dennis BB, BaworM, et al. A prospective study to investigate predictors of relapse among patients with opioid use disorder treated with methadone. Subst Abuse. 2016;10:9-18. doi:4137/SART.S37030
  5. Garland EL, Manusov EG, Froeliger B, Kelly A, Williams JM, Howard MO. Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement for chronic pain and prescription opioid misuse: results from an early-stage randomized controlled trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2014;82(3):448-459. doi:1037/a0035798
  6. Garland EL, Hudak J, Hanley AW, Nakamura Y. Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement reduces opioid dose in primary care by strengthening autonomic regulation during meditation. Am Psychol. 2020;75(6):840-852. doi:1037/amp0000638
  7. Garland EL, Hanley AW, Riquino MR, et al. Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement reduces opioid misuse risk via analgesic and positive psychological mechanisms: a randomized controlled trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2019;87(10): 927-940. doi:1037/ccp0000390
  8. Garland EL, Manusov EG, Froeliger B, Kelly A, Williams JM, Howard MO. Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement for chronic pain and prescription opioid misuse: results from an early-stage randomized controlled trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2014;82(3):448-459. doi:1037/a0035798
  9. Garland EL, Hanley AW, Nakamura Y, et al. Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement vs supportive group therapy for co-occurring opioid misuse and chronic pain in primary care: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2022; 182(4):407-417. doi:1001/jamainternmed.2022.0033
  10. Garland EL, Nakamura Y, Bryan CJ, Hanley AW, Parisi A, Froeliger B, Marchand WR, Donaldson GW. Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Veterans and Military Personnel on Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2024 Feb 1;181(2):125-134. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230272.

 

HEAL Connections

[Insert organization] is a part of the HEAL Connections Center, created by the NIH HEAL Initiative® to translate HEAL research into action. The center’s goals are twofold: to create pathways to further build and sustain community partnerships, and to support HEAL researchers in meaningfully sharing results with communities and stakeholders that will benefit most from research findings. Learn more

Key Takeaways

  • A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry shows that adding Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) therapy to methadone treatment programs may provide a new way to increase opioid use disorder treatment adherence and effectiveness in people with OUD and chronic pain.
  • Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement therapy combines mindfulness training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and principles from positive psychology into a single, integrated approach designed to restructure reward processing in the brain from valuing drug rewards back to valuing natural healthy rewards.
  • The MORE Study revealed that participants who received eight weeks of MORE therapy along with the standard methadone treatment (MT) plan had a 42% greater reduction in substance use and a 59% greater decline in treatment discontinuation rates at 16 weeks compared to participants on only the standard MT plan.
  • After 16 weeks, nearly 84% of study participants receiving only the standard methadone treatment care were still adherent to their methadone treatment while more than 95% of participants receiving MORE therapy plus standard MT care adhered to their methadone treatment.
  • In addition to increased methadone treatment retention and adherence, study participants who received MORE plus the standard care showed a decrease in substance use, pain, and depression. 
  • Researchers have now studied MORE therapy in 12 clinical trials where it has demonstrated efficacy for reducing opioid use, craving, emotional distress, and pain.
  • Providers and researchers who use MORE therapy report results consistent with the ongoing study data.

Infographic

The Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) Study  

Download the infographic

Sample Social Media Posts and Tweets

  • A new study funded by the @NIH reveals that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement therapy added to methadone treatment may improve outcomes for people with #OUD and chronic pain. Read more #nihHEALinitiative [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38061786/]
  • Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement therapy combines mindfulness training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, & positive psychology into an approach designed to benefit #OUD treatment by restructuring reward processing in the brain. Read more #nihHEALinitiative [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38061786/]
  • New data from a study funded by the @NIH shows Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement therapy added to methadone treatment improved #OUD treatment adherence and decreased substance use, pain, and depression. Read more #nihHEALinitiative [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38061786/]
  • New #OUD study shows Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement therapy + methadone treatment led to a 42% greater reduction in substance use & 59% greater decline in treatment discontinuation rates compared to standard methadone treatment alone. Read more #nihHEALinitiative [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38061786/]

Graphics

Download the images below to use with your blog and social media posts.

HEAL Connections is a center that is jointly run by Duke Clinical Research Institute and George Mason University and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®. HEAL Connections is aimed at supporting widespread dissemination and implementation of HEAL-funded research. HEAL Connections is funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative under OTA numbers: 1OT20D034479 and 1OT2OD034481.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

 

Technology Meet Public Health Partner Toolkit

Posted on by Susan Herron

 

Technology Meet Public Health
Partner Toolkit

Resources

Links

Sample Blog Post

Technology, Meet Public Health:
How Tech Innovations are Helping HEAL Researchers Navigate New Frontiers in Pain Research

In today’s world, technology makes it easy to find your way to any destination. Jump in the car, set your GPS, and travel with confidence, knowing the GPS will guide you through any hazards or wrong turns. But navigating your chronic pain is another story. In the U.S., 21% of adults (about 51 million people) currently experience chronic pain.1 Each person experiences their pain in a unique way, which makes finding effective treatments challenging — the road to relief varies from person to person.

But technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, unlocking possibilities in health care that were once unimaginable. Could these advances help scientists better navigate the complexity of pain to arrive at new solutions — and more relief? Researchers from the National Institutes of Health Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®, are on a mission to find out. The NIH HEAL Initiative is an NIH-wide effort to speed scientific solutions to the overdose epidemic, including opioid and substance use disorders, and the crisis of chronic pain. Here are a few ways HEAL teams are leveraging technology across multiple studies in pursuit of better pain management.

 

Conducting non-invasive electrosonic brain stimulation

Of the more than 13 million Americans with carpal tunnel syndrome, it is estimated that at least 18% experience debilitating pain that has become “centralized” within the brain – meaning that the brain is creating the perception of pain, even though there is only minor, or no,  apparent physical damage or injury.2 For some of these individuals, various treatments including physical therapy, acupuncture, surgery, and medications have not helped.

To address this challenge, HEAL-funded researchers are testing non-invasive stimulation pad applied to the scalp to calm brain-caused pain in people with carpal tunnel syndrome.

The technology they are using, Electrosonic Stimulation (ESStim™), does not require surgery. Neuromodulation works through a combination of electrical and ultrasound energy, targeting areas of the brain that process pain. The process can act like an electrical switch to turn up or down nerve activity, with the intent to decrease pain signals.

Results from this initial study are exciting: patients receiving the treatment reported less pain, along with improvements in the ability to use their hands. A second phase of the research, which includes more patients, will test whether physical therapy adds even more relief.

Read the full story.

 

Using artificial intelligence to find a ‘signature’ that predicts chronic pain risk

About 3.5 million adolescents in the United States live with chronic pain in their bones, joints, muscles, and surrounding tissues, known as musculoskeletal pain, but only about half find effective relief. Those who do not find relief are diagnosed with treatment-resistant chronic musculoskeletal pain. Laura Simons, Ph.D., of Stanford University School of Medicine, is working to understand why by analyzing the most detailed data collected to date from a large group of adolescents with musculoskeletal pain.

Simons’ SPRINT: Signature for Pain Recovery IN Teens study is using this data to look for a “pain signature,” or a unique pattern of characteristics, that will accurately predict chronic musculoskeletal pain in teens. The SPRINT team’s data reflects the experiences of hundreds of adolescents and includes biological measures like brain scans, fatigue and sleep health, sensitivity to touch and painful stimuli, and immune system activity, among other data. Simons’ team is also investigating how psychological and social factors affect treatment response in teens with chronic pain.

To generate a signature that can predict chronic musculoskeletal pain, Simons and her team are inputting the thousands of data points into artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can accurately and quickly find data relationships and patterns that would take much longer via manual analysis. In the first phase of the study, the AI technology helps the study team identify all the components of a pain persistence signature, and in the next phase, the SPRINT team will see if the signature holds up in a different, unrelated group of adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

The SPRINT study team hopes that the ability to predict those teens who are at risk for treatment-resistant chronic musculoskeletal pain will ultimately lead to the development of screening tools in health care settings and more potential solutions to solve the difficult problem of chronic pain in adolescence.

Read the full story.

 

Building a tissue chip model to screen potential new medications

Identifying potential new medications is difficult and requires extensive testing in animal models. What’s more, usually only a small fraction of potential compounds tested are suitable for testing in humans, and researchers must screen large numbers of possible medications if they want to identify even one promising one.

To address this challenge, HEAL-funded scientists, together with scientists from AxoSim, Inc., have created a tissue chip-based model system that can screen molecules in minutes. This “living pain circuit” is a 3D system of nerve cells that connect to each other just like they do in the body.

The team showed that cells in the chip model grew correctly and worked as expected. They formed properly functioning nerve cell connections, and their response to common pain medications was like what occurs naturally in the body. This new research takes a significant step forward toward expanding medication options for the millions of Americans who need effective, non-addictive pain relief.

Read the full story.

 

These and many other technology-driven research efforts are removing critical roadblocks that have long hindered our understanding of, and developing effective treatments for, chronic pain. Together, they offer real hope for a journey to relief that is faster and more direct than we have known to date. Be on the lookout for published results of these exciting efforts in the coming months!

 

  1. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-finds-high-rates-persistent-chronic-pain-among-us-adults
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553027/

 

HEAL Connections

[Insert organization] is a part of the HEAL Connections Center, created by the NIH HEAL Initiative® to translate HEAL research into action. The center’s goals are twofold: to create pathways to further build and sustain community partnerships, and to support HEAL researchers in meaningfully sharing results with communities and stakeholders that will benefit most from research findings. Learn more

Infographic

How Tech Innovations are Helping HEAL Researchers Navigate New Frontiers in Pain Research

Download the infographic

Sample Social Media Posts and Tweets

 

 

 

Social Media Graphics

Download the images below to use with your social media posts.

Blog Post Images

Download the images below to use with your articles or posts.

HEAL Connections is a center that is jointly run by Duke Clinical Research Institute and George Mason University and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®. HEAL Connections is aimed at supporting widespread dissemination and implementation of HEAL-funded research. HEAL Connections is funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative under OTA numbers: 1OT20D034479 and 1OT2OD034481.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

 

Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science (CoARS) Conference Toolkit

Posted on by Susan Herron

Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science (CoARS) Conference
Partner Toolkit

Resources

Links

Sample Blog Post

Seven Themes to Watch in Recovery Science:
Insights from the Inaugural National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science

The first National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science (NCARS) made clear that what we know about recovery is rapidly evolving—from a narrow focus on abstinence to a broader understanding that includes mental health, social connections, and overall quality of life. This exploration, also known as the science of recovery, is a relatively new endeavor that seeks to understand not just if recovery happens, but how it happens and what factors support it.

The conference organizer, the Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science, and the National Institutes of Health Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative® stand together at the forefront of the movement to advance the science of recovery through research and community partnership. As we look ahead to the second conference in April 2025, several key themes are emerging that provide a roadmap for where the field is heading. Here’s a closer look at the top trends to watch over the coming year.

 

1. Expanding Definitions and Measurements of Recovery
Traditional definitions of recovery have long centered on abstinence from substances. However, new research suggests that recovery is a multifaceted process that includes improved mental health, quality of life, and social functioning. Innovative measurement tools, such as the Recovery from Addiction and Resilience (R2AR) Assessment tool, were designed to capture the complex and multifaceted nature of recovery beyond just abstinence. Unlike traditional assessments, which often focus solely on the absence of substance use, the R2AR evaluates a broad range of recovery indicators, such as psychological wellbeing, social connectedness, and participation in meaningful activities. This approach enables researchers and clinicians to tailor recovery support services to individual needs, enhancing long-term outcomes.

“When I only focused on not using the drug, I could not stay abstinent for very long,” said Kimberly Moore, a person with lived experience of opioid use disorder who attended the NCARS conference in 2024. “I had to not just stop using, but also focus on why I got high in the first place. Once I made that connection, I was able to celebrate more than 23 years clean and counting.”

 

2. Novel Recovery Pathways and Phenotypes: Personalized Approaches to Recovery
The NCARS meeting underscored the importance of identifying unique recovery pathways and attributes (or phenotypes), recognizing that everyone’s recovery journey is unique. For example, one study focused on two key factors: abstinence self-efficacy and delay discounting. The first measures a person’s confidence in their ability to resist substance use in difficult situations, while the latter refers to how strongly someone values immediate rewards over long-term benefits. The research found that individuals who showed a stronger preference for immediate rewards had lower confidence in staying abstinent. In the future, these individuals may benefit from tailored interventions that focus on enhancing decision-making skills and building strategies to handle high-risk scenarios like stress or cravings.

 

3. Strategies for Workforce Integration of People in Recovery
Supporting individuals in recovery often involves not just providing clinical and therapeutic support, but also helping them reintegrate into the workforce. Multiple NCARS sessions on workforce integration highlighted that employment is both a key outcome and facilitator of recovery. One lauded strategy was the integration of peer support services into workforce reintegration programs. Peer support specialists often serve as mentors, advocates, and sources of encouragement, providing emotional support, practical guidance, and help in connecting individuals to recovery resources.

However, despite the demonstrated impact of peer support services, significant policy and funding challenges hinder the full potential of these programs. Be on the lookout for more discussion of solutions to this challenge at the 2025 NCARS meeting.

 

4. Learnings from Harm Reduction and Recovery Efforts: A Complementary Approach
Harm reduction strategies, such as syringe services programs, are increasingly recognized as integral components of recovery support. Qualitative findings from a survey of harm reduction consumers in Tennessee shared at NCARS 2024 showed that participants viewed these services as essential, particularly for overdose prevention and reducing the harms associated with substance use. Many participants felt comfortable accessing these programs and emphasized the need for increased availability and support. However, the survey also found that concerns about stigma and law enforcement interactions remain barriers for some people seeking these services​. Addressing these barriers will be an important topic in years to come.

“As a recipient of harm reduction services when I was an injection heroin and cocaine user, I know firsthand the value of feeling seen and cared for,” said Meghann Perry, a person with lived experience of opioid use disorder who attended the NCARS conference in 2024. “Harm reduction fills a critical gap in our services by providing the belonging and safety that people who use substances problematically desperately need to make a commitment to positive change.”

 

5. The Current State of Recovery Support Services: Addressing Gaps and Building Capacity
Access to comprehensive recovery support services—such as stable housing, employment opportunities, and social services—remains a significant barrier for many individuals in recovery. Presenters at the 2024 NCARS meeting highlighted that stigma within healthcare settings often discourages people from seeking necessary support, while insufficient funding for long-term programs limits the availability of sustained assistance. Efforts are underway to expand culturally tailored services to better support marginalized communities and reduce disparities in outcomes. However, overcoming these challenges will require collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and community organizations. Discussions on how to create a more inclusive and accessible recovery ecosystem are expected to be a central focus at next year’s conference.

 

6. The Intersection of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), Health Disparities, and Recovery: Promoting Equity in Recovery Outcomes
Research has revealed that marginalized communities, including racial and ethnic minoritized groups, face significant barriers to accessing recovery services. For example, Black individuals with opioid use disorder are less likely to receive medications for opioid addiction compared to their White counterparts, leading to poorer recovery outcomes. Efforts to promote health equity in recovery include culturally adapted recovery programs and targeted outreach to underserved populations. One program highlighted during the 2024 NCARS meeting—a peer recovery support initiative in a predominantly Latinx community—reported a 60% increase in engagement with recovery services over two years, demonstrating the potential of culturally tailored interventions to bridge gaps in care​.

“When recovery isn't accessible to everyone, we reinforce the same disparities that lead to substance use disorders in the first place,” said Arielle Estes, a person with lived experience of opioid use disorder who attended the NCARS conference in 2024. “Addressing the intersection of DEI, health disparities, and recovery is not just about fairness; it's about survival for many people in underserved communities.”

 

7. Youth and Families: Addressing the Unique Needs of Emerging Adults in Recovery
Research presented throughout the 2024 conference highlighted the unique developmental challenges faced by emerging adults, including high rates of co-occurring mental health disorders and increased vulnerability to relapse. Two efforts to address these challenges are the Collaborative Hub for Emerging Adult Recovery Research (CHEARR) and the Family Involvement in Recovery Support and Treatment (FIRST) networks, which are cross-organizational, boundary-breaking collaborations geared toward improving outcomes for young adults in treatment for OUD. Each funded by nearly $2 million grants from the NIH HEAL Initiative, CHEARR and FIRST are filling a gap in existing opioid recovery research by focusing on the efficacy of specific support services for young adults. Looking ahead, researchers will use these insights to develop a new set of standards for young adult recovery programs—and this is sure to be a major focus at next year’s NCARS.

 

Looking Ahead: Preparing for the 2025 NCARS
The second National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science will be held virtually on April 23-24, 2025. With a continued focus on the science of recovery, the event will once again bring together researchers and community members to explore these key themes and develop new strategies to advance the field. Make your plans now to attend!

 

HEAL Connections

[Insert organization] is a part of the HEAL Connections Center, created by the NIH HEAL Initiative® to translate HEAL research into action. The center’s goals are twofold: to create pathways to further build and sustain community partnerships, and to support HEAL researchers in meaningfully sharing results with communities and stakeholders that will benefit most from research findings. Learn more

Infographic

7 Themes to Watch in Recovery Science:
Insights from the Inaugural National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science

Download the infographic

Sample Social Media Posts and Tweets

 

  • Recovery is more than abstinence. New tools like R2AR capture mental health, social connections, and quality of life. Learn how these measures are shaping the future of recovery support. Read more  [Insert link to post]

 

  • Everyone’s recovery journey is unique. Research on personalized approaches like self-efficacy and decision-making could transform support. Discover what’s next in recovery science: [Insert link to post]

  • Workforce reintegration is key to recovery. Peer support is making a difference, but policy challenges remain. See how the 2025 NCARS meeting will address these issues: [Insert link to post]

  • Harm reduction is essential to recovery, but stigma and barriers persist. How can we ensure greater access and support? Explore key findings from the 2024 NCARS meeting: [Insert link to post]

  • Stable housing, jobs, and social services are critical to recovery. How can we build an inclusive, accessible recovery ecosystem? Find out more [Insert link to post]

  • Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. Culturally tailored programs are bridging gaps for marginalized communities. See what’s working and what’s next: [Insert link to post]

  • Young adults face unique challenges in recovery. Programs like CHEARR and FIRST are leading the way. Learn how they’re shaping the future: [Insert link to post]

 

 

Graphics

You can download the images below to use with your articles or posts.

 

  

     

HEAL Connections is a center that is jointly run by Duke Clinical Research Institute and George Mason University and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®. HEAL Connections is aimed at supporting widespread dissemination and implementation of HEAL-funded research. HEAL Connections is funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative under OTA numbers: 1OT20D034479 and 1OT2OD034481.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

HEAL Connections Sharing Session: Community Partner Insights to Strengthen Research Dissemination — Focus on Addiction

Posted on by Susan Herron
HC_ss_dissemination-oud_27sept2024_linkedin

HEAL Connections Sharing Session: Community Partner Insights to Strengthen Research Dissemination—Focus on Addiction

Many researchers express the need, and desire to learn, how to share research results beyond academic channels to reach broader groups of patients and communities. This two-part series addressed this need by sharing insights from community partners and people with lived and living experience of pain and opioid use disorder.

In this session, panelists – people with lived and living experience of OUD, as well as the national associations and community partners who support them – shared how they like to receive information about research. They also discussed preferences around communication content, mediums, and channels, as well as their own experiences engaging with research projects to craft messaging and select dissemination channels.

Watch the video below or view it on YouTube.

Download the Slides
Get the One-pager

Panelists

Marissa Kluk (she/they)
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Doctoral Student at East Tennessee State University

 

Marissa joined the field of addiction early in her public health career, working within opioid-related grants at various levels of government. Her passion in the field is fueled by her own experience with substance use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, which she has been in recovery from since October 2017. Marissa is currently completing a Doctorate in Public Health at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and works at ETSU Addiction Science Center, focusing current efforts on recovery ecosystem alignment in the Northeast Tennessee region. She is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and loves supporting people along their recovery journey.

Quána Madison, MA (she/her)
Multi-disciplinary Artist Healing Arts Facilitator Wellbeing Advocate Consultant 

 

 

Quána Madison is a multi-disciplinary African-American Queer artist with disabilities, a healing arts facilitator, and a well-being advocate. She dove into the world of arts and research-based wellness topics to support her holistic well-being journey after a life-changing near-death experience from cancer previvor treatments and the sudden onset of chronic illnesses. Quána has lived with chronic pain since childhood. Quána strives to inspire, educate, empower, and uplift people through her artwork, consulting services, and community engagement. She collaborates with the National Minority Health Association, Habitat for Humanity, the National Pain Advocacy Center, the National Institutes of Health HEAL Initiative, Colorado Artists in Recovery, and LBGTQIA+ organizations.

Anthony Salandy, PhD, MSc (he/him)
Chief Program and Business Strategy Officer
National Harm Reduction Coalition

 

Anthony Daryl Salandy, Ph.D., MSc. is the Senior Director of Development and Business Strategy at National Harm Reduction Coalition. Dr. Salandy has been developing and advancing data-driven solutions to address complex social and organizational challenges for over 20 years. While working with the University of Delaware, he developed a novel interactive ethnic-specific harm reduction intervention – which is now a SAMHSA promising practice. Additionally, while at Mount Sinai, he completed work in HPV, HIV, and substance use – including monitoring and evaluation of LGBTGNC+, mental health, sexual reproductive health, and harm reduction services.

Ronald Simpson-Bey (he/him)
Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
JustLeadershipUSA 

 

Ronald D. Simpson-Bey works as the Executive Vice President for JLUSA and is a 2015 Leading with Conviction Fellow. He is a national decarceration leader committed to cutting the number of people under correctional supervision in half by 2030. Ronald does policy advocacy work with the Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration (MI-CEMI), and community organizing with the Nation Outside organization for returning citizens. He is a co-founder and advisory board member of the Chance For Life (CFL) organization in Detroit, Michigan. Ronald served 27 years in the Michigan prison system as an engaged, thoughtful, and creative leader, founding many enrichment programs rooted in transformation, redemption, and self-accountability.

For More Information Contact:
Heather Wilson at HEAL-Connections@duke.edu

 

 

Eat, Sleep, Console Study Toolkit – Spanish

Posted on by Susan Herron

Estudio sobre comer, dormir y consolar

Kit de herramientas para socios

Recursos

Enlaces

Muestra de artículo del boletín informativo ESC-NOW

Un nuevo estudio identifica una forma más eficaz de cuidar a
los recién nacidos expuestos a los opioides

Los hallazgos del estudio de Comer, dormir y consolar para el retiro de opioides en neonatos (Eating, Sleeping and Consoling for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal, ESC-NOW) muestran un nuevo enfoque de atención que es más eficaz que los enfoques de atención habituales para los bebés expuestos a opioides.

Los investigadores descubrieron que el enfoque de ESC, que faculta a las familias en el cuidado de sus bebés a través de la educación y la toma de decisiones compartidas, disminuyó el tiempo que los bebés necesitaban ser hospitalizados. Los recién nacidos atendidos con el enfoque de ESC estaban médicamente preparados para el alta hospitalaria aproximadamente 6.7 días antes y tenían un 63 % menos de probabilidades de recibir terapia farmacológica, en comparación con los recién nacidos atendidos mediante el enfoque tradicional. Los resultados de seguridad a los tres meses de edad fueron similares entre ambos grupos. El estudio aparece en el New England Journal of Medicine.

El ensayo clínico nacional es un esfuerzo colaborativo entre el Instituto Nacional de Salud Infantil y Desarrollo Humano (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NICHD) Eunice Kennedy Shriver de los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud (National Institutes of Health, NIH) y el Programa de Influencias Ambientales sobre los Resultados de Salud Infantil (Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes, ECHO) de los NIH. El ensayo está financiado por la Iniciativa Helping to End Addiction Long-term o la HEAL Initiative® de los NIH, un esfuerzo entre agencias para acelerar las soluciones científicas para detener la crisis nacional de opioides.

Antecedentes sobre el Síndrome Neonatal de Abstinencia de Opioides (Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, NOWS)

La prevalencia del trastorno por uso de opioides ha aumentado en los EE. UU., lo que también ha llevado a una mayor cantidad de mujeres embarazadas con trastorno por uso de opioides (opioid use disorder, OUD). Como resultado, nacen más bebés con síntomas de abstinencia de opioides. Esta afección se denomina síndrome neonatal de abstinencia de opioides (NOWS). Los síntomas de NOWS pueden incluir temblores, llanto excesivo e irritabilidad, y problemas para dormir y alimentarse.

Hasta ahora, no ha habido evidencia sólida para respaldar un estándar de atención para bebés con NOWS. Tener evidencia de las mejores prácticas (o un enfoque estándar) para cuidar a estos bebés puede reducir la variabilidad y mejorar los resultados para los bebés y sus familias. El objetivo de este ensayo fue ayudar a establecer esa evidencia.

El enfoque de atención de ESC

El enfoque de atención de ESC se desarrolló hace unos ocho años, pero antes de este ensayo aún no se había evaluado rigurosamente en una población grande y diversa de bebés con NOWS. ESC proporciona una evaluación basada en la función de la gravedad de la abstinencia centrada en qué tan bien puede comer, dormirse y consolarse un bebé. ESC da prioridad a la atención no farmacológica, incluido el aumento de la presencia familiar, sostener, envolver y mecer en entornos con pocos estímulos, como tratamiento de primera línea.

El enfoque de ESC determina que empoderar a las familias en el cuidado de sus bebés puede generar confianza y ayudar a las familias a sentirse valoradas y respaldadas.

Resultados del estudio

Los investigadores de este estudio inscribieron a 1,305 bebés en 26 hospitales de los EE. UU. Los bebés atendidos con ESC estaban listos desde el punto de vista médico para recibir el alta hospitalaria casi 7 días antes que los bebés tratados con la atención habitual (8.2 días en el grupo de ESC en comparación con 14.9 días en el grupo de atención habitual).

El estudio también evaluó si los recién nacidos recibieron terapia con opioides para manejar sus síntomas. Los bebés tratados con ESC tuvieron alrededor del 63 % menos de probabilidades de recibir opioides (19.5 % en el grupo de ESC recibieron terapia con opioides, en comparación con el 52 % en el grupo de atención habitual).

Estos hallazgos se basan en resultados de tres meses y se encuentra en curso un estudio de seguimiento de dos años de un subconjunto de bebés. Este seguimiento es fundamental para informar aún más sobre la seguridad del enfoque de atención de ESC.

Para acceder a un resumen de ESC en español, haga clic aquí.

HEAL Connections

[Insertar organización] forma parte del Centro de HEAL Connections, creado por la HEAL Initiative® de los NIH para llevar la investigación HEAL a la práctica. Los objetivos del centro son dos: crear vías para construir y apoyar aún más a las asociaciones comunitarias, y apoyar a los investigadores de HEAL para que compartan resultados de manera significativa con las comunidades y las partes interesadas que se beneficiarán más de los hallazgos de la investigación. Obtenga más información aquí.

Conclusiones clave

  • Comer, dormir y consolar (ESC) da prioridad a la atención no farmacológica, incluido el aumento de la presencia familiar, sostener, envolver y mecer en entornos con pocos estímulos, como tratamiento de primera línea.
  • El enfoque de ESC determina que empoderar a las familias en el cuidado de sus bebés puede generar confianza y ayudar a las familias a sentirse valoradas y respaldadas.
  • Los bebés atendidos con ESC estaban listos desde el punto de vista médico para recibir el alta hospitalaria casi 7 días antes que los bebés tratados con la atención habitual (8.2 días en el grupo de ESC en comparación con 14.9 días en el grupo de atención habitual).
  • El estudio también evaluó si los recién nacidos recibieron terapia con opioides para manejar sus síntomas. Los bebés tratados con ESC tuvieron alrededor del 63 % menos de probabilidades de recibir opioides (19.5 % en el grupo de ESC recibieron terapia con opioides, en comparación con el 52 % en el grupo de atención habitual).

Ejemplos de tuits de ESC-NOW

  • Un estudio financiado por @NIH descubrió que el método de atención de Comer, dormir y consolar (ESC) para recién nacidos expuestos a opioides acorta la cantidad de tiempo hasta que estén listos para el alta hospitalaria. ESC mantiene a la madre y al bebé unidos, lo que prioriza la participación familiar.  https://bit.ly/42RtzYC  #HEALconnections
  • Los recién nacidos expuestos a #opioides durante el embarazo están en riesgo de sufrir una afección por abstinencia #NOWS. Un estudio financiado por @NIH encontró que el método de atención de “Comer, dormir y consolar” reduce la cantidad de tiempo hasta que los bebés con #NOWS estén listos para el alta hospitalaria. https://bit.ly/3I0fcsY #HEALconnections
  • El estudio de @NIH de Comer, dormir y consolar encuentra evidencia de que el empoderamiento de los padres y madres en la atención de los bebés expuestos a opioides reduce las estadías en el hospital y el uso de tratamientos con medicamentos. #HEALconnections https://bit.ly/3LQKa7S

 

  • Los bebés expuestos a opioides que recibieron atención con el enfoque de Comer, dormir y consolar dejaron el hospital casi 7 días antes que los bebés que recibieron los enfoques de atención habitual, obtenga más información: https://bit.ly/42RtzYC  #nihHEALinitiative @ECHOChildHealth @NICHD_NIH @NIH #HEALconnections
  • El enfoque de atención de Comer, dormir y consolar es más eficaz que los enfoques de atención habituales para bebés expuestos a opioides, según un estudio financiado por @NIH: https://bit.ly/42Objiv #nihHEALinitiative @ECHOChildHealth @NICHD_NIH #HEALconnections
  • El enfoque de atención de Comer, dormir y consolar reduce la estadía en el hospital y la necesidad de tratamientos con medicamentos entre los bebés expuestos a opioides, según nuestro nuevo estudio financiado por @NIH. @ECHOChildHealth @NICHD_NIH #HEALconnections https://bit.ly/42Objiv

 

Gráficos

Imágenes para publicaciones se encuentran en Gráficos

Video

HEAL Connections is a center that is jointly run by Duke Clinical Research Institute and George Mason University and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®. HEAL Connections is aimed at supporting widespread dissemination and implementation of HEAL-funded research. HEAL Connections is funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative under OTA numbers: 1OT20D034479 and 1OT2OD034481.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Eat, Sleep, Console Implementation Planning Guide and Toolkit – Spanish

Posted on by Heather Wilson

Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) Implementation Planning Resource - Spanish

View and download the ESC Implementation Planning Resource in Spanish. 

Or explore the ESC Implementation Planning Resource in English.

ESC Partner Planning Resource Toolkit

Download a word document with sample newsletter post and article, sample tweets, and images in Spanish.

Download a compressed folder with images in Spanish for social media and blog posts. You can also select images below to download them individually.

HEAL Connections is a center that is jointly run by Duke Clinical Research Institute and George Mason University and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®. HEAL Connections is aimed at supporting widespread dissemination and implementation of HEAL-funded research. HEAL Connections is funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative under OTA numbers: 1OT20D034479 and 1OT2OD034481.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.