Buprenorphine is an effective medication for opioid use disorder. However, retention in buprenorphine treatment remains a challenge, partly due to stigma from the community, friends, family, and the healthcare system. In Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) Programs, 45% of patients drop out of buprenorphine treatment in the first 12 months.
We are developing a smartphone-based Virtual Coach that helps patients stay in OBAT, while providing regular screening for emergent issues, education on buprenorphine and safety issues, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for stigma associated with opioid use disorder, and a variety of other content and features designed to keep patients engaged for a year.
This work is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and is a collaboration with Dr. Karsten Lunze at Boston Medical Center.