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IRETA

Institute for Research, Education & Training in Addictions

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substance use disorder

Rethinking Methadone: A Tool for Care, Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution

Written by Peter F. Luongo, Ph.D., IRETA Executive Director | January 10, 2025

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 […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: addiction medicine, addiction treatment, Blog, Harm Reduction, substance use disorder

Book Recommendations for Behavioral Health Clinicians

Written by Marla Kauffman | December 6, 2024

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 […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Addiction, addiction treatment, Blog, Harm Reduction, substance use disorder

Xylazine: What Does the Emergence of this New Contaminant Mean for People Who Use Drugs and Health Care Providers?

Written by Marla Kauffman | February 17, 2023

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 […]

Filed Under: Addiction, Addiction in the News, Evidence-Based and Best Practices, News, Pittsburgh Tagged With: Addiction, addiction treatment, Harm Reduction, opioid addiction, substance use disorder, xylazine

The Importance of Speaking the Same Language in Addiction Treatment

Written by Marla Kauffman | March 17, 2022

There is a recognizable need for improved treatment for substance use disorder in the United States. Drug overdose deaths are at an all-time high and standardization of the delivery and coverage for addiction treatment can be hard to find. Unfortunately, as it stands, addiction treatment and reimbursement practices can vary greatly from state to state, […]

Filed Under: Addiction, Addiction in the News, Evidence-Based and Best Practices, News Tagged With: addiction medicine, addiction treatment, ASAM, free resource, free resource for addiction, substance use disorder, toolkits

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IRETA

The Institute for Research, Education and Training in Addictions (IRETA) is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit located in Pittsburgh, PA. Our mission is to help people respond effectively to substance use and related problems.

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611 William Penn Place
Suite 301
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

P: 412-258-8565
F: 412-391-2528

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