Recovery from Opioid Use Disorder After Monthly Long-Acting Buprenorphine Treatment: 12-Month Longitudinal Outcomes from RECOVER

Authors: Ling W, Nadipelli VR, Aldridge AP, Ronquest NA, Solem CT, Chilcoat H, Albright V, Johnson C, Learned SM, Mehra V, Heidbreder C

Access to the article can be found here:  
Journal of Addiction Medicine: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7547872

This study provides important evidence that the benefits of monthly long-acting injectable buprenorphine extends well beyond clinical trial settings. About half of participants reporting sustained opioid abstinence at 12 months and broad improvements in quality of life, employment, and social functioning, RECOVER strengthens the case for expanding access to BUP-XR as a central component of OUD treatment. For payers, providers, and health systems, these findings underscore the importance of supporting long-term pharmacotherapy and measuring recovery in its fullest sense – not only clinical endpoints, but the social and economic dimensions of a life rebuilt.