Cannabidiol in Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain

Description

Thirty-six male and female (ages 18-70) participants with comorbid opioid use disorder (OUD) and non-cancer chronic pain for at least 6 months, currently receiving methadone (n= 22) or buprenorphine (n= 12), will be enrolled. Prior to their daily methadone or buprenorphine dose and thus at trough plasma levels of opioid, participants will receive oral CBD (400 mg, 800 mg, 1200 mg) or placebo. Subsequently, all participants will undergo laboratory testing of opioid-related outcomes.

Pain sensitivity will be measures including the well-validated, Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and a pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Attentional bias and cue-induced opioid craving will be measured using a visual probe task and the Heroin Craving Scale (HCQ-14). Abuse potential will be measured using the Drug Effects Questionnaire (DEQ). Negative affect will be measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Cognitive performance will be measured by a comprehensive cognitive battery that includes the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT). Safety will be thoroughly measured with the Systematic Assessment for Treatment Emergent Events (SAFTEE) for adverse effects.

The order of study medication administration will be counterbalanced order to minimize carryover effects. On the initial screening day and at the end of medication treatment, blood will be drawn to determine serum drug levels. Participants will be thoroughly evaluated by a physician prior to discharge on each experimental session. One week after the last study medication dose, participants will be conducted by phone for a follow-up session.