Prolonged release opioid for recovery (PROP)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Agent for Recovery: The Opportunity for Enhancing Social Inclusion Afforded by Prolonged Release Buprenorphine Formulations.
IRAS ID
305675
Contact name
Andrew Radley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Tayside
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
A body of literature describes the experience of stigma and shame that people who use drugs (PWUD) are subjected to, within both the wider community and in healthcare settings. PWUD are often considered to live outside of the everyday social norms of society. As a result they can be described as having tainted identities and regarded as second class citizens. One consequence of this is that PWUD are deprived of choice, options and inclusion.
The use of pharmacological approaches has been a mainstay of UK treatment for opiate dependency for many years. The use of opiate substitution therapy (OST) is well evidenced, and for the vast majority of patients prescribed on a daily dispensing (supervised or unsupervised) basis. However, OST is often criticised for oppressive and "normalising" effects, with very little change happening for those prescribed. A body of work describes the mechanics of the delivery of OST as a factor in producing an environment in which change is difficult to achieve. The “methadone queue” is often perceived as stigmatising and in which the behaviours experienced and the obligatory social relationships negotiated make it difficult to make the desires identity change.
A new OST option is now available. Prolonged release subcutaneous buprenorphine can be administered at weekly or monthly intervals. The introduction of prolonged release subcutaneous buprenorphine products provide an opportunity to deliver OST in an alternate way, allowing greater flexibility for both clinician and patient.
This study will investigate if prolonged release buprenorphine can be the catalyst for change over an 18 month period. It will investigate if it allows those receiving this type of OST to create a new identity, strengthen or make new relationships and mobilise new resources such as increased wellbeing, employment and education opportunities and social inclusion to aid a recovery journey.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0358
Date of REC Opinion
24 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion