The year 2019 was a big one for IRETA. We celebrated our 20th anniversary, held our first public symposium, increased our staff, and continued to work hard to fulfill our mission. None of our work would be possible without the organizations and individuals we partner with.
Blog
Combatting the Abstinence Violation Effect
The abstinence violation effect (AVE) has been described as the “eff-it” phenomenon. In an era of super-potent opioids, addiction treatment providers need to address it head-on.
The ‘Treatment Gap’ Is Not What You Think It Is
The treatment gap is the difference between people who are said to need addiction treatment and those who actually receive it. A common statistic says that “Only about 1 in 10 people who need treatment actually get it.”
IRETA After 20 Years
IRETA’s beginning has all of the right ingredients needed to combine in the right moment. Dr. Michael T. Flaherty, a clinical psychologist and Vice President of Behavioral Services at St. Francis Hospital, envisioned IRETA as an independent nonprofit seeking to align science, service, and policy in the area of addiction and its treatment.
Study Suggests Calling Myself an ‘Addict’ Is Different Than You Calling Me One
Before you start slinging the term “addict” around, consider the possibility that self-identifying as an addict and being labeled as one by an outsider are two very different things.
Medical Students Learn Addiction Skills Because They’ll Need Them in Practice
This year, as we have for the last 20 years, IRETA is hosting two groups of medical students who want to learn more about substance use, addiction, and addiction treatment.
IRETA to Host Much-Needed Community Panel on Inconsistent Quality in Addiction Treatment
On June 12, 2019, IRETA hosted a community symposium on the subject of barriers to high-quality addiction treatment.
Like All of Us, Dentists Can Play a Role in Reducing Opioid-Related Harms
Of the three million wisdom tooth extractions that occur each year, most patients are under the age of 25, and most leave with prescription opioids to manage pain associated with the surgery. This can have serious consequences over time.
A Medication-First Approach Can Blend Harm Reduction and Ongoing Treatment As Needed to Save Lives
In 2009, the World Health Organization advocated for a “medication first” approach to treating opioid use disorder. Ten years later, in the midst of an unprecedented number of opioid-related deaths, the idea is still marginal in America.
Parental Overdose and Grieving Children
Children who have lost a parent to overdose represent a group that is both large and vulnerable. Preliminary data gathered by the Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services shows that about 50% of residents who died last year from opioid-involved overdoses were parents.
