Recruiting

PRC vs. Treatment-as-Usual

Sponsor:

Emory University

Code:

NCT07563517

Conditions

Substance Use

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Virtual Peer Recovery Coaching

Treatment as Usual

Study Details

Brief summary:

The goal of this study is to learn whether a virtual peer recovery coach (PRC) intervention can improve engagement in addiction treatment among incarcerated adults with substance use disorders.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does the PRC intervention increase engagement with at least one recovery resource at 30 and 90 days?
  • Does it improve secondary outcomes such as substance use, recovery capital, overdose events, and recidivism?

Researchers will compare Treatment-as-Usual with the PRC telehealth intervention to see if PRC support improves engagement in addiction care.

Participants will:

  • Complete baseline and follow-up assessments
  • Receive either Treatment-as-Usual or a virtual PRC session focused on motivational interviewing and linkage to recovery resources

Conditions

Substance Use

Study ID

NCT07563517

Start date

Sep, 2026

Status verified date

Aug, 2026

Completion date

Mar, 2030

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Mar, 2030

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Incarcerated at participating jail
  • Able to speak and understand English
  • Score of 3 or greater - "moderate level", "substantial level", or "severe level" of problems related to drug abuse - on DAST-10.
  • Willing to follow study procedures and complete research follow-up calls
  • Have at least two reliable contact numbers, e.g. participant and one or more relatives or close friends

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cognitive impairment (inability to comprehend the informed consent document as assessed by study staff during enrollment)
  • Prior participation in the study
  • Awaiting transfer to prison or jail outside the state of Georgia

Study Design

Enrollment

550 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Supportive Care

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: PRC group

Participants meet virtually with a trained peer recovery coach using a secure telehealth platform. PRCs use motivational interviewing, assess readiness to change, and provide individualized linkage to recovery resources. Support may include connection to medications for opioid use disorder, residential treatment, detoxification centers, harm reduction services, mutual support groups, sober living, or recovery community organizations. PRCs may also conduct post-release check-ins to support ongoing engagement.

active comparator: Standard of Care

Participants receive the jail's standard approach to substance use support. This includes a review of available community treatment and recovery resources consistent with existing facility practices. No peer recovery coach is involved, and no additional study-driven services are provided.

Interventions

Virtual Peer Recovery Coaching

A telehealth session with a peer recovery coach who provides motivational interviewing and tailored linkage to addiction treatment and recovery resources.

Treatment as Usual

Participants are provided information about community-based addiction treatment and recovery resources as part of routine jail processes.

Primary outcome measure

  • Engagement With at Least One Recovery Resource [ Time Frame: 30 days and 90 days after enrollment ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Joseph Carpenter, MD

404-778-5975jecarpe@emory.edu

Yan Li

yan.li@emory.edu

Locations

Atlanta City Detention Center

Recruiting

Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30303

Fulton County Jail

Recruiting

Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30318

Dekalb County Jail

Recruiting

Decatur, Georgia, United States, 30032

More Information

Sponsor

Emory University

Last update posted

Aug 17, 2026

Last verified

Aug, 2026

Keywords

  • Support groups
  • Recovery
  • Substance use disorders during incarceration

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Emory University on 2026-08-17.