When we talk about addiction treatment, the conversation often centers on access: How do we get people into care? What barriers stand in the way? How can we remove them? These are important questions—but they’re only part of the story. Recovery doesn’t end when someone finishes a 28-day residential program or completes an outpatient cycle. […]
Addiction
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 […]
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.
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 […]
Pennsylvania has Legalized Fentanyl Test Strips, But Legality Does Not Equal Accessibility
In early November, Governor Tom Wolf signed legislation that legalized the use of fentanyl test strips in Pennsylvania. Before reaching Governor Wolf’s desk, the legislation passed the PA House and Senate unanimously. This change comes as fentanyl continues to escalate overdose rates in Pennsylvania and across the United States. Fentanyl, which is undetectable by sight, […]
Adding to the Universal Addiction Medicine Toolbox
Dawn Lindsay, Ph.D, is the Director of Research and Evaluation at IRETA. Dawn and her team have been working with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) this past year to develop a clinical guideline addressing the management and treatment of stimulant use disorders. This project is […]
Making Sure Youth Substance Use Prevention Efforts are Effective
Most adults who meet the criteria for substance use disorder began their use in their teenage or young adult years. For this reason, early and effective substance use prevention for youth is extremely important. “Effective” is a key word when it comes to youth substance use prevention efforts. For years, Project Drug Abuse Resistance Education […]
Celebrating Recovery
September is Recovery Month! IRETA is proud to celebrate pathways to recovery with the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk.
