A Phase 4 interventional study of Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination and Individual Counseling in Opioid-use Disorder, Opioid Dependence and Opioid Overdose, sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 13 Years to 17 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-10-01.
Sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
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 recovery support, and paramedic follow-up on patient outcomes. The primary outcome is engagement and retention in outpatient treatment. Secondary outcomes include quality of life assessment as well as subsequent relapses and overdoses. The hypothesis is that patients with earlier induction into MOUD treatment who receive routine follow-up, are more likely to engage and remain in treatment long-term.
70 studies on the registry are indexed under Opiate Overdose; 11 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 250 is above the median of 184 across 48 interventional studies indexed under Opiate Overdose.
Browse Opiate Overdose studies →The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston is the lead sponsor of 897 studies on the registry; 214 are open to participants now.
Of its 173 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 142 (82%) have results posted.
Compared within Opiate Overdose, this study's primary condition as ClinicalTrials.gg classifies it; the registry's first condition term is Opioid-Related Disorders. The counts are of registry records indexed under each term, refreshed daily. How we classify →
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
DSM diagnostic criteria
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Induction into medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment and behavioral interventions
Drug: Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination · Behavioral: Individual Counseling · Behavioral: Peer Recovery Support Services · Behavioral: Support Group · Behavioral: Referral to Medication Management · Behavioral: Assertive Outreach
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
Also known as: Suboxone
One-on-one counseling with a licensed chemical dependency counselor
Also known as: Therapy
24/7 support from our team of certified peer recovery support specialists to assist with emotional support and case management
Also known as: Peer Coaching, Recovery Coaching
Referrals to youth-focused support groups and eventual creation of in-house youth-focused support groups
Also known as: Group Therapy
Study staff will refer patients to long-term MOUD providers in the community
The investigators will conduct weekly outreach to youths who experienced an opioid overdose and attempt to initiate treatment. Outreach is completed by a paramedic and peer coach.
Also known as: Community Outreach
Patient retention in treatment
Percentage of enrolled youth in treatment over time
Time frame: 30 days after enrollment
Patient abstinence from opioids
Days without substance use
Time frame: 30 days after enrollment
Frequency of opioid emergencies among adolescents in Houston, Texas
Prevalence of opioid overdoses among youth
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 3 years
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