Families Left Behind

Launched by RAND · Feb 25, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Families Left Behind" clinical trial is focused on helping people who are grieving the loss of a loved one due to an accidental drug overdose. This type of loss can bring about complicated feelings like guilt and shame, making it harder for those affected to seek help and support. Many individuals dealing with this kind of grief face serious mental health challenges, such as prolonged grief disorder, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. The trial aims to evaluate a peer grief support program called RIVER, which has shown promise in helping people cope with their loss. By working with community support partners, the researchers hope to provide better resources and assistance to families during this difficult time.

To participate in this study, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have lost a loved one to an unintentional drug overdose within the past year. They should be able to understand English or Spanish and be in a position to give consent. However, those currently experiencing severe mental health issues, such as needing hospitalization or having active suicidal thoughts, cannot join the trial. Participants can expect to receive support from others who have gone through similar losses and will be involved in a program designed to help them heal and navigate their grief. This research is an essential step toward providing much-needed support to families affected by the opioid crisis.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • people who lost a loved one to an unintentional drug overdose death within the past year
• • age 18 and older
• • fluently understand English or Spanish
• • have the capacity to give consent (e.g., excluding those with severe cognitive impairment, those in active psychosis, and those with developmental disabilities).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • people who need hospitalization for psychiatric symptoms or substance use disorders. (Note, people who use drugs but who do not require hospitalization will be included.)
• • people have active suicidal ideation
• • people who lost someone to a drug overdose death more than one year ago
• • people who lost someone to a drug overdose death that was suicidal in nature or of undetermined intent