Houston Emergency Engagement System for Youths and Adolescents
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Summary
The Houston Emergency Response Opioid Engagement System for Youths and Adolescents (Young HEROES) is a community-based research program integrating assertive outreach, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), behavioral counseling, and peer recovery support. The objective is to compare differences in engagement and retention in treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder. The investigators also intend to understand the prevalence of opioid overdoses and OUD among youth in Houston.
Description
The Houston Emergency Response Opioid Engagement System for Youths and Adolescents (Young HEROES) is a non-randomized cohort study based at the University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston. This study recruits participants through three avenues: assertive community outreach with a peer coach and paramedic following and opioid overdose, community referrals, and emergency department referrals. The study explores the effect of the combination of assertive outreach, same-day induction into medication for opioid use disorder, ongoing maintenance treatment, behavioral counseling, peer recove…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 13–17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * In otherwise good health based on physician assessment and medical history * Drug screen positive for opioids * Patients express a willingness to stop opioid use * Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for opioid dependence * Patients must be able to speak English * Be agreeable to and capable of signing the informed consent and assent (parent or guardian must consent, minor must assent) Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English-speaking patients * Have a known sensitivity to buprenorphine or naloxone * Be physiological…
Interventions
- DrugBuprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination
8mg of buprenorphine/2mg of naloxone to initiate MOUD treatment and bridge, if necessary, until referral to MOUD clinic can be made for ongoing treatment
- BehavioralIndividual Counseling
One-on-one counseling with a licensed chemical dependency counselor
- BehavioralPeer Recovery Support Services
24/7 support from our team of certified peer recovery support specialists to assist with emotional support and case management
- BehavioralSupport Group
Referrals to youth-focused support groups and eventual creation of in-house youth-focused support groups
- BehavioralReferral to Medication Management
Study staff will refer patients to long-term MOUD providers in the community
- BehavioralAssertive Outreach
Location
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston, Texas