Study protocol for a randomized trial examining a peer grief support approach for people grieving drug overdose deaths

TL;DR

This study tests a peer grief support model for people grieving drug overdose deaths to improve their health outcomes.

Contribution

The study introduces a randomized trial to evaluate the RIVER peer grief support model for drug overdose bereavement.

Findings

The RIVER model has been successfully implemented in the community for drug overdose bereavement.

The study will assess the model's impact on health outcomes through a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

People bereaved by drug overdose experience a “special grief” that includes guilt, shame, and blame for their loved one’s death, which often compounds suffering and interferes with help-seeking. This population is vulnerable to poor health outcomes including prolonged grief disorder, risky substance use, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Peer grief support may reduce risks in people bereaved by overdose by buffering grievers from the negative effects of increased stigma and isolation. Peer Support Community Partners has developed the RIVER peer grief support model for bereavement. The model has been implemented successfully in the community and for drug overdose bereavement, but has not yet been rigorously tested.

The current study is a two-phased project that aims to test whether the RIVER peer grief support approach improves health outcomes in those grieving drug overdose deaths. In the first phase, we will prepare for and conduct a pilot test of the RIVER peer grief support approach. We will also assess an innovative mechanism for engaging grievers through Medical Examiners Offices (MEOs). In the second phase, we will compare enhanced usual care (EUC) to EUC plus RIVER peer grief support (RIVER) in a randomized controlled trial.

The study aims to build the science of overdose bereavement and provide increased support for a vulnerable population of grievers.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06854757 (02/25/2025).

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