As we mark the 25th anniversary of IRETA, we find ourselves looking back at the journey that brought us here, honoring our roots while embracing the evolution that has propelled us forward. Just as St. Francis Hospital left an indelible mark on the landscape of addiction treatment in western Pennsylvania, IRETA has emerged as a […]
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Podcast Recommendations for Mental Health and SUD Clinicians
As a clinical quality improvement consultant, I find myself spending a significant amount of time in the car traveling to provider sites. Sometimes it has been up to 9-10 hours per day. This leaves a lot of time to either be with my thoughts, or I can spend some of that time learning new ideas […]
The Power of Gratitude: A Scientific Look at How Thankfulness Boosts Mental Health
Adopting an “attitude of gratitude” is encouraged for people in 12-step recovery programs. Creating a gratitude list is a daily practice used by many to pay attention to the positive things in their lives and recovery journey. Gratitude is also a practice promoted more and more in wellness and self-help communities. But how does gratitude […]
An Inside Look at IRETA’s Consultation Projects: Enhancing Addiction Treatment
The IRETA Clinical Quality Improvement (CQI) Team have been hard at work in the past year, making substantial contributions to the field of addiction treatment. The goal of the CQI Team is to focus on assessing and enhancing the quality of clinical services for addiction treatment programs at all levels of care.
When it Comes to Addiction Treatment, We Must Do as the Romans Did
In the world of high school education, there are teachers who leave a lasting impact on their students. For me, one such teacher was Brother Patrick, a man who bore a striking resemblance to the late Irish actor Barry Fitzgerald (whose movie credits include How Green was My Valley, Bringing Up Baby, and The Quiet […]
Celebrate Pathways to Recovery at the 2023 Pittsburgh Recovery Walk
IRETA is proud to once again sponsor the 2023 Pittsburgh Recovery Walk. This year’s event promises to be an event like no other. The Walk will be held on Saturday, September 16th at 1201 Waterfront Place in Downtown Pittsburgh. People from across western Pennsylvania will come together as a community to celebrate recovery, spread hope, and […]
A Firsthand Look at The Scaife Medical Student Fellowship in Substance Use Disorders
Lauren Druml, a member of this year’s June cohort, wrote about her experience in the program and the impact participation will have on her medical career.
The Importance of Hepatitis C Testing and Other Harm Reduction Measures for People Who Inject Drugs
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness that hepatitis continues to be a public health threat in the United States. Hepatitis C, which is spread through contact with contaminated blood, is often contracted by people who inject drugs (PWID). Hepatitis C is treatable, but unfortunately, many people who are infected and […]
Raising Awareness for Effective Mental Health Counseling in Addiction Treatment
April is National Counseling Awareness Month. The month-long celebration was created by the American Counseling Association to bring awareness to the ways mental health counselors help keep individuals and communities healthy. The celebratory sense of the month is meant to help remove stigma around seeking help for mental health counseling and encourage people who may not […]
Xylazine: What Does the Emergence of this New Contaminant Mean for People Who Use Drugs and Health Care Providers?
Throughout the past year, a substance called xylazine has been saturating the drug supply in many parts of the United States. Xylazine is a powerful sedative used in veterinary medicine, typically for larger animals like horses and cattle. It is not considered to be safe for humans. However, the drug has been found to be […]
