A Unique, Co-Designed Family-Based Therapy for Women With Opioid Use Disorder and Justice-Involvement

Given well-documented risks associated with the sex trade and opioid use, as well as a lack of interventions prospectively designed to address challenges experienced by this population, the current study represents a critical next step towards promoting the health and well-being of women who use opioids and engage in the sex trade. The current study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of co-designed, adapted family intervention offered as an adjunct to specialty treatment court programming (offered through the criminal justice system) using a pilot RCT design. Family dyads (n=60 dyads; 120 individuals) comprised of one specialty treatment court participant and one family member selected by the treatment participant will be recruited to participate in a randomized controlled trial. Participant dyads will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment arms: 1) co-designed, adapted family intervention + specialty treatment court programming or 2) specialty treatment court programming only. The primary outcomes for this pilot trial are the feasibility and acceptability of the co-designed, adapted family intervention. Preliminary efficacy for outcomes of interest will also be explored; however the current study is not powered to detect effects given the small sample size. The current study moves the field forward by pilot testing an evidence-based family intervention that has been adapted through co-design methodologies to be highly responsive to the unique needs of specialty treatment court participants.