Can cultural healing boost opioid recovery? cherokee nation trial aims to find out

NCT ID NCT05733442

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Washington State University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether adding culturally-aligned activities and healing groups to standard medication-assisted treatment (MAT) helps people with opioid use disorder stay in treatment longer and reduce harm. About 136 adults newly enrolled in the Cherokee Nation MAT program will either receive standard care or the enhanced program for 6 months. Researchers will compare retention, substance use, and cultural connectedness between the two groups.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: buprenorphine + naloxone (Suboxone)
What this could lead to: If successful, this program could improve how well people stay in treatment and reduce opioid-related harm, especially for Native communities.
What could go wrong: This is a relatively small, early-stage trial (136 participants) focused on a specific population, so results may not apply broadly. The added counseling may not significantly improve outcomes over standard care.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Harm Reduction opiate dependence

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

OPIOID-USE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cherokee Nation Health Services

Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 74464, United States
University of Washington School of Medicine

Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States

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