"People who use methamphetamine are involved in over half of all overdose deaths and there is a desperate need to find effective treatments for this patient population," said Erik Anderson, MD, principal investigator at AHS and Associate Medical Director of the Bridge Program. "Many patients use opioids in addition to methamphetamine, and examining treatment options for people using multiple substances is particularly important." The first-of-its-kind trial, available locally at AHS's Bridge Clinic at the Wilma Chan Highland Hospital Campus in Oakland, CA, is a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The Bridge Clinic hopes to enroll 41 of the 246 participants to be recruited nationwide over the next two years. To be considered for the study, participants must be seeking treatment for methamphetamine use disorder and opioid co-use, be 18-65 in age, and be able to attend twice-weekly outpatient clinic visits. The trial evaluates patients with twice-weekly urine drug screens as well as self-reported frequency of methamphetamine and opioid co-use. For more information on this Bridge Clinic-based study, call (510) 500-5312 or email [email protected]
About Helping to End Addiction Long-term® (HEAL) Initiative
The Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®, is an aggressive, trans-NIH effort to speed scientific solutions to stem the national opioid public health crisis. Launched in April 2018, the initiative is focused on improving prevention and treatment strategies for opioid misuse and addiction, and enhancing pain management. For more information, visit: https://heal-nih-gov.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg The AHS Bridge Clinic uses a social emergency medicine approach to support emergency providers and their community partners with funding, tools, and training to help them better serve people who have been traditionally excluded from the healthcare system. For more information, visit The AHS Bridge Clinic.
About Alameda Health System
Alameda Health System (AHS) is a leading public integrated health care provider and medical training institution recognized for its world-class patient and family-centered care. AHS provides comprehensive medical treatment, health promotion and disease prevention throughout our integrated network of hospitals, clinics and health services. AHS includes three acute care hospitals, a psychiatric hospital, four ambulatory care wellness centers, five post-acute facilities, and the only adult Level 1 Trauma Center and psychiatric emergency department in Alameda County. AHS is committed to promoting wellness and optimizing the health of the community through the mission of caring, healing, teaching and serving all. For more information, visit AlamedaHealthSystem.org. Manager, Media and Communications
SOURCE Alameda Health System