ResearchProjects

This proposal will attempt to identify a rapid, simple and safe method for buprenorphine induction in untreated emergency department (ED) patients with opioid use disorder using supra-therapeutic doses of buprenorphine given as a single administration.

Rapid high-dose buprenorphine induction has the potential to reduce the target time of buprenorphine levels necessary to reduce opioid cravings from days to hours, thus decreasing the risk of inadvertent overdose during the time between ED care and out-patient linkage to comprehensive addiction treatment.

If this “one-and-done” strategy, results in fewer worsening/precipitated withdrawal events, is likely to be favored by both patients and providers compared to standard buprenorphine induction strategies, which could lead to increased implementation and treatment uptake in emergency departments.