IRETA Executive Director Dr. Eric Hulsey presented at the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) 2025 Annual Conference on Monday, November 24th. His session, “OSPRI: Opioid Settlement Principles Resource and Indicators,” introduced county leaders to practical tools for planning, evaluating, and strengthening opioid settlement investments. The presentation was part of CCAP’s efforts to support counties as they navigate evolving challenges. Dr. Hulsey […]
addiction treatment
Local Methadone Clinic Closing
Many folks in the Pittsburgh region have recently learned about the closing of UPMC’s Narcotic Addiction Treatment Program at Western Behavioral Health. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the program will end operations by the end of the month, affecting patients currently receiving methadone maintenance treatment and other opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment services. Even with […]
Inside the 2025 Scaife Fellowship in Substance Use Disorders: How Future Physicians are Shaping Compassionate Care
For over 25 years, IRETA has hosted the Scaife Medical Student Fellowship in Substance Use Disorders, a three-week fellowship focusing on the many different facets of addiction and its treatment. This summer, IRETA welcomed two cohorts of medical students and one pharmacy student for the annual program. Over three intensive weeks in June and July […]
What Happens After Rehab? Gaps in Recovery Housing and Long-Term Support
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. […]
Rethinking Methadone: A Tool for Care, Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution
Methadone has long been a cornerstone of treatment for opioid use disorder, demonstrating its effectiveness as a lifesaving medication. However, it has also been treated as a one-size-fits-all level of care—a role it was never meant to fulfill. When methadone maintenance treatment was first tested in 1964 by Drs. Vincent Dole and Marie Nyswander in […]
Book Recommendations for Behavioral Health Clinicians
At IRETA, we are committed to supporting clinicians with tools and resources that enhance their ability to provide compassionate, evidence-based care. Books can be powerful tools in this journey, offering insights, strategies, and moments of reflection. This curated list highlights impactful books that span trauma, addiction, therapy techniques, and clinician self-care, with a special focus […]
Driving Change with Data: An Inside Look at IRETA’s Research and Evaluation Efforts
Piper Lincoln is the Senior Research Associate at IRETA. Piper plays a crucial role, handling all aspects of research and evaluation. This includes designing data collection methods and analyzing and interpreting results. Her work involves the technical side of data and ensuring that our research and evaluation projects align with best practices. Whether it’s selecting […]
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 […]
Join Us In Pittsburgh for the 2023 Scaife Medical Student Fellowship in Substance Use Disorders!
We are excited to announce that for the first time since prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, we will be hosting a portion of the fellowship in Pittsburgh for experiential, in-person learning.
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, […]
