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Fear of Drug Users is How We Justify Harming Them. Why is it that I felt afraid? It was more emotional than logical. My reaction was partly based on the way they use drugs. Although people sipping beer or wine typically feel safe and “normal,” drug users’ use of a hypodermic needle felt different, almost like a weapon.

As an early intervention strategy for people with risky or addictive substance use, there are ways that SBIRT just isn’t working. Most glaring of these is the “referral to treatment” portion, wherein providers are supposed to connect patients to addiction specialists for follow-up care

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.

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 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’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.

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.

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.

On June 12, 2019, IRETA hosted a community symposium on the subject of barriers to high-quality addiction treatment.

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.