Evaluating Adaptive Dispenser Initiation Protocols for MySafeRx During Post-detox Buprenorphine Treatment- a Pilot Study

Opioid overdoses are a significant problem nationwide and novel interventions that can prevent overdose by improving buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder are a public health priority. This study will both investigate the effects of starting remote motivational enhancement during inpatient detoxification on rates of engagement in Buprenorphine/ Naloxone (B/N) treatment and evaluate the impact of MySafeRx, a mobile device application which integrates remote motivational coaching with daily observed dosing from secure electronic pill dispensers at home via videoconference, on treatment retention and overdose prevention. Broad dissemination of this new intervention could help communities across the nation expand and advance their capacity to increase B/N treatment engagement and retention, enhance medication adherence, and prevent overdose.

The objective of this study is to evaluate an innovative strategy among opioid use disorder patients being discharged from detox. This study will evaluate the extent to which remote motivational enhancement sessions via videoconference and the option for flexible daily dosing at home with MySafeRx can improve engagement and retention with Buprenorphine/Naloxone (B/N) treatment after detox in a county where access to B/N treatment has primarily been provided with in-person, onsite, daily dosing. This study seeks to expand the investigators understanding about what works to prevent opioid overdose by evaluating the effects of remote motivational enhancement (RME) sessions provided via videoconferencing at an inpatient detox facility and during early treatment in order to increase treatment engagement with daily outpatient supervised-dosing of B/N. Participants will use an Android smartphone device to access the MySafeRx app and complete their daily motivational interview sessions. In addition, the study seeks to evaluate the effects of using a locked medication dispenser. The role of the dispenser has not been fully evaluated in the past, and evaluation is needed to determine if the dispenser is necessary at the start of a treatment program or only in response to those participants having issues with adherence or participants that are struggling. This pilot study will generate new knowledge about the most effective way to prevent overdose and engage patients in B/N treatment with observed daily dosing.

Hypothesis:

The investigators will examine whether acceptable levels of satisfaction with the MySafeRx platform, specifically the electronic pill dispenser, are achieved at the end of the pilot period.

Primary Aim:

Aim 1: To assess the acceptability of the electronic medication dispenser and evaluate the impact of using an alternative adaptive assessment-based procedure, by comparing MySafeRx Group A (all participants in MySafeRx receive an electronic pill dispenser at the start) and MySafeRx Group B (participants only receive the electronic medication dispensers based on clinical evaluation and need after assessment at regular time intervals).

Secondary Aims:

Aim 2: To examine the differences in positive urine toxicology screens between MySafeRx Group A (coaching + medication dispenser) and MySafeRx Group B (coaching + medication dispenser based on clinical need)

Aim 3: To examine medication adherence to B/N by assessing the differences between MySafeRx Group A (coaching + medication dispenser) and MySafeRx Group B (coaching + medication dispenser based on clinical need) in the total number of observed B/N doses taken in the first 28 days, between weeks 3-6.

Aim 4: To examine the differential impact of two tele-health interventions of MySafeRx Group A (coaching + medication dispenser) and MySafeRx Group B (coaching + medication dispenser based on clinical need) on retention in outpatient buprenorphine treatment with B/N dosing through 24 weeks.

Exploratory COVID-19 Objectives:

Aim 5: To examine the differences of COVID-19 infection between MySafeRx Group A and MySafeRx Group B and compare with ACTS overall program incidence rate during the time period.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* age 18 to 65 years
* opioid use disorder
* stepping down from inpatient detox services
* willing to engage in daily outpatient supervised dosing of B/N.

Exclusion Criteria:

* cognitively impaired (Unable to complete consent quiz at 90% accuracy AND MOCA \< 25/30 relative exclusion requiring PI approval, absolute exclusion for MOCA\<21/30)
* homeless
* reporting active homicidal or suicidal ideation with an imminent plan
* current mania or psychosis
* expected incarceration in next 3 months (those that are incarcerated during the study will be removed from the study)
* unable or unwilling to use a mobile device
* medical contraindication to BUP
* unable to complete baseline assessments
* unstable medical illness who expect hospitalization in the next 3 months pregnant women (if a patient becomes pregnant while participating in this study, they will be withdrawn)
* prisoners
* court-ordered individuals
* unable to speak or read English