Relapse vulnerability can continue long after opioid use stops, and science has not fully explained why. A new $2.38 million federal investment aims to change that, and the findings could shape addiction treatment for years.

Indiana University biologist Mengting Han received the Avenir Award in Genetics and Epigenetics of Substance Use from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.

The five year award which IU announced on September 16, 2026 will fund research into how opioid use disorder changes the brain at the molecular level.

Why Relapse Persists After Opioid Use Ends

Opioid use disorder remains a difficult condition to treat because the risk of relapse can linger long after someone stops using. Researchers link that persistence to lasting changes in the connections between neurons. Scientists call this property synaptic plasticity and it allows brain circuits to strengthen or weaken through experience.

Han’s project titled “Interrogating RNA localization and local translation during synaptic plasticity induced by opioid use disorder” examines how RNA moves and gets translated within neurons to drive those changes. Her team will combine multi-omics technologies, CRISPR based tools and established mouse models of opioid use disorder.

Researchers have studied this biological question far less than other areas of drug abuse research and the award supports the kind of high risk high reward work that could uncover new directions. “Avenir” means “future” in French while the DP1 grant mechanism supports early stage investigators whose work could have unusually broad impact.

“I feel strongly that addressing this biological question will catalyze new therapeutic strategies for OUD by correcting dysregulated RNA localization to reverse OUD induced maladaptive synaptic plasticity and prevent relapse” Han said.

She expects the research to open new treatment avenues for addiction and create a framework for studying other substance use disorders.

What This Means for Treatment Seekers

This research remains in its early stages and it does not represent a new therapy that will arrive next year. For people researching addiction treatment now, the practical takeaway is simpler. Relapse can reflect the biology of opioid use disorder rather than a personal failure.

Long lasting changes in the brain can remain part of the condition which helps explain why evidence based care matters more than willpower. Current treatment standards already reflect this understanding.

Medication for opioid use disorder including buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone can work alongside counseling and remains among the most effective approaches available. Research like Han’s could help scientists develop future treatments that prevent relapse more effectively.

Exploring Treatment Options

If you or someone you love is dealing with opioid use disorder, effective addiction treatment exists today. When comparing rehab centers, ask whether programs offer medication for opioid use disorder, how they approach relapse prevention and what their continuum of care looks like after the initial program ends.

Rehab.com’s directory includes verified treatment centers across the nation. Compare programs and review their approaches. Call 800-985-8516 ( Question iconSponsored Helpline ) to speak with a treatment advisor about finding the right fit.

Quentin Blount Written By: Quentin Blount Content Director
Quentin brings over a decade of experience in writing, editing, and digital publishing to his role as Content Director at Rehab.com, where he leads a full-scale content operation across addiction treatment, mental health, and behavioral health verticals. He has experience managing large editorial teams, executing content strategy for clients, and building the workflows and systems that keep high-volume publishing operations running efficiently. Quentin is committed to making treatment information accessible, trustworthy, and easy to navigate for people seeking help for themselves or their loved ones. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, friends, family, and dog, Coop.