Prevention of Opioid Use Disorder: The HOME (Housing, Opportunities, Motivation, and Engagement) Randomized Trial (On-Demand)-Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. Natasha Slesnick presents the preliminary findings of a program aimed at preventing opioid use disorder in youth experiencing homelessness. The program provides housing and a range of risk prevention services, including strengths-based outreach and advocacy, motivational interviewing, HIV prevention, and cognitive therapy for suicide prevention. The program aims to increase social and individual resources, reduce stress, and prevent opioid use disorder. The pilot phase of the study successfully engaged 21 youth, and no youth in the study developed opioid use disorder during the follow-up period. Furthermore, housing stability was maintained in 80% of participants at nine months after rental support ended. The sample for the ongoing phase two of the study is similar to the pilot phase, consisting primarily of black and multiracial youth, and with a high prevalence of suicidality and substance use. The program focuses on building relationships with the youth and allowing them to direct their own goals and interventions. The video also addresses challenges faced in engaging youth with the risk prevention services and highlights the importance of ongoing supervision and support for the advocates working with the youth. Overall, the program shows promise in preventing opioid use disorder and improving outcomes for youth experiencing homelessness.

Keywords

opioid use disorder prevention

youth homelessness

housing

risk prevention services

strengths-based outreach

motivational interviewing

suicide prevention

housing stability

youth-directed goals