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ADDICTION CENTER E-NEWSLETTERS

Latest e-Newsletter: August 2024

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August 2024: eNewsletter

April 2024: eNewsletter

August 2023: eNewsletter

February 2023: eNewsletter

September 2022: eNewsletter

April 2022: eNewsletter

September 2021: Quarterly e-Newsletter

May 2021: Quarterly e-Newsletter

April 2021: Alcohol Awareness Month e-Update

February 2021: Quarterly e-Newsletter

January 2020: Quarterly e-Newsletter

March 2020: COVID-19 Addiction Center e-Update

April 2020: Alcohol Awareness Month e-Update

October 2020: Quarterly e-Newsletter

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EVENTS

Educational Events for All Audiences

 

Click here for a list of featured events sponsored by our community partners. 

 

Provider Events

 

Ongoing: U-M Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS) Lunch & Learn Series.

Learn more about our offerings here.

 

NEWS

 

October 24, 2024: Amelia Mueller-Williams, Ph.D., is awarded a T-32 and Research Track Scholar Award

Amelia Mueller-Williams, Ph.D., has been awarded a T-32 and Research Track Scholar Award to launch a study in collaboration with American Indian Health and Family Services of Detroit, a Federally Qualified Health Center and Urban Indian Health Organization. Her project will support screening for suicide and substance use risk and referral to culturally-appropriate services among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) youth and young adults. The project will also gather some of the first data on social media experiences specifically among AIAN youth, learning more about their use and experiences with social media.

 

September 27, 2024: Examining the Popularity, Content, and Intersections With the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Definition of Recovery in a Nonclinical Online Cannabis Cessation Community: Infodemiology Study of Reddit Posts

Elyse Thulin, Ph.D., Maureen Walton, Ph.D., Erin Bonar, Ph.D., and Anne Fernandez, Ph.D., co-authored a paper published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research exploring whether online communities can provide a helpful support pathway for individuals seeking to reduce or stop their use of cannabis.

 

September 17, 2024: Cannabis and Older Adults: Poll Looks at Use, Beliefs and Risk

Erin E. Bonar, Ph.D. is quoted in this Michigan Medicine Health Lab article highlighting the results of a recent U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation poll that looked at cannabis use among adults over the age of 50.

 

September 17, 2024: Lara Coughlin, Ph.D., joins Center Leadership as DEI Faculty Lead

 

Lara Coughlin, Ph.D., a prolific researcher with broad expertise and interest in health disparities and inequities, is joining the Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg and Family Depression Center as their inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) faculty lead.

 

September 12, 2024: Older Michiganders More Likely than Other Older Americans to Use Cannabis

Erin E. Bonar, Ph.D. contributed to this report from the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation showing that a higher percentage of adults age 50 and older report potential signs of addiction to cannabis in Michigan as compared with the rest of the nation.

 

September 10, 2024: U-M Addiction Treatment Services Offers Hope for Recovery

Mark Ilgen, Ph.D., is quoted in this Michigan Medicine Headlines article profiling U-M Addiction Treatment Services as part of National Recovery Month.

 

September 1, 2024: Addiction Center Welcomes New Faculty

Three former T-32 Postdoctoral Fellows—Autumn Rae Florimbio, Ph.D, Omid Kardan, Ph.D., and Katherine McCurry, Ph.D.—join the University of Michigan Addiction Center as faculty this fall.

 

August 6, 2024: Understanding Substance Use in Older Adults: Critical Prevention and Treatment Factors

Frederic C. Blow, PhD, and Angela Tiberia, MPH, co-authored an article with Erin Emery-Tiburcio, PhD, ABPP, from the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging that was published by the Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC).

 

July 10, 2024: Allison Lin, M.D., and Lara Coughlin, Ph.D., co-authored a Viewpoint article published in JAMA Psychiatry: Researchers Call for Expanded Recommendations for the Treatment of Co-Occurring Stimulant and Opioid Use Disorders

 

May 30, 2024: A study that is co-authored with Dr. Carol Lee, a U-M postdoctoral research fellow in psychiatry, was featured in Michigan News this week: Critical dialogue helps straight men confront sexist, homophobic beliefs

 

May 9, 2024: Mind Matters: Bipolar Disorder and Addiction: Insights from Experts and Inspirations from Experience

Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program and U-M Addiction Center teamed up for a webinar exploring the relationship between bipolar disorder and substance use disorders.

 

May 8 2024: Lara Coughlin, Ph.D. participated in a American Lung Association podcast on ways to improve state coverage for tobacco cessation

Experts weigh in on the disparities in smoking rates among individuals with Medicaid and ways to promote health equity through digital and incentive-based (monetary) interventions. This podcast also focuses on pathways to expand tobacco cessation coverage in Michigan.

 

May 1, 2024: The Five Most Common Myths About Medications for Addiction Treatment

Cameron Coleman, M.D. and Nathan Menke, M.D. share their insights.

 

May 1, 2024: 4 Things You Didn’t Know about Cannabis

Erin Bonar, Ph.D., shares her insights.

 

May 1, 2024:  5 Things Parents Should Know About Drug and Alcohol Use During Adolescence

Meghan Martz, Ph.D., shares her insights

 

April 18, 2024: New Study Reveals Surprising Links Between Psychopathy and Substance Use Among Male Inmates

A study co-authored by Dr. Lora Cope showed that among male inmates in two different studies, specific aspects of psychopathy may be protective against substance misuse.

 

April 17, 2024: What parents should know about teen drug and alcohol use

Dr. Meghan Martz was featured in this M Health Lab article on adolescent substance use. 

 

April 5, 2024: Molina Healthcare and University of Michigan Launch Incentives2Quit Program

This new program, led by Dr. Lara Coughlin, uses monetary incentives, motivational text messaging, and engagement in the Michigan Tobacco Quitline to help people achieve long-term tobacco cessation. 

 

April 3, 2024: Congratulations to Drs. Erin Bonar and Maureen Walton on the recent announcement of their new professorships!

  • Erin Bonar, Ph.D. was awarded the Kathy Fant Brzoznowski Research Professorship in Behavioral Health Technology Innovations
  • Maureen Walton, Ph.D. was awarded the Toby Brzoznowski Research Professorship in Behavioral Health Technology Innovations

 

March 29, 2024: Telehealth Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder Associated With Patient Retention

New study coauthored by Dr. Allison Lin shows that telehealth was associated with better treatment outcomes for both new patients and those continuing treatment.

 

March 27, 2024: Mind Matters - Teen Substance Use: The Latest Research, Personal Stories, & Tips for Parents/Caregivers

Webinar highlights the factors that lead to adolescent substance use, its effects on brain development, and advice for parents and caregivers.

 

March 8, 2024:  Unpacking Firearm Access and Firearm Violence Exposure Among American Indian or Alaskan Native and Black Adults

U-M Addiction Center T32 postdoc Amelia Mueller-Williams led this commentary published in JAMA Network Open

 

January 24, 2024: Mind Matters - Addiction Treatment Medications: The Science & Personal Stories

 Webinar highlights medications for treating substance use disorders and personal stories of recovery

 

January 12, 2024: For surgery patients, AI could help reduce alcohol-related risks

A study co-authored by Dr. Anne Fernandez shows scanning patients’ records for signs of risky drinking could identify those without an alcohol-related diagnosis who might want to cut back, alone or with help.

 

2023

 

December 4, 2023: 1 in 8 older adults use cannabis products, suggesting need to screen for risks

Anne Fernandez, Ph.D. and other U-M colleagues co-authored a paper on the increased use of cannabis products by people over 50 post-pandemic, with especially high use found in those who also engage in unsafe levels of alcohol use.

 

October 13, 2023: Experts Give Insight Into Recovery From Substance Use Disorder

The latest episode of The Wrap employee podcast features a conversation with providers on the front lines of substance use disorder care -- Cameron Coleman, M.D., along with social workers Darin Szczotka and Coty Babon.

 

October 11, 2023: Dexter coalition engages teens in preventing substance use among peers

Dr. Erin Bonar is quoted in this article about a local substance use prevention program for teens.

 

September 13, 2023: High rate of mental health problems and political extremism found in those who bought firearms during COVID pandemic

Dr. Brian Hicks led a study on firearm purchases during the COVID pandemic and the press release has spread via several news sources.

 

September 12, 2023: U-M Researchers Study Young Adults’ Views on the Risks of Different Methods of Cannabis Consumption

A group of U-M Addiction Center researchers are the first to publish a study in the US that assessed how young people consider the risks of the variety of cannabis products that are available in today’s legal market.

 

September 8, 2023: Embarking on the Journey to Substance Use Disorder Recovery

Dr. Frederic C. Blow was featured in the Michigan Medicine Headlines in an article for September Recovery Month.

 

July 21, 2023: An Agenda for Research to Transform Care for Cannabis Use Disorder

 U-M Addiction Center researchers publish recommendations and call to action to address the growing problem of cannabis use disorder.

 

June 27, 2023: Telehealth-Delivered Behavioral Economic Intervention Helped Reduce Frequency of Cannabis Use and Improve Mental Health Outcomes

Dr. Lara Coughlin and colleagues designed a study to help reduce the frequency of cannabis use and improve mental health outcomes. 

 

May 19, 2023: Addiction, Depression & Anxiety: What's the Connection?

In this Michigan Medicine livestream, Dr. Cam Coleman and Dr. Emily Bilek discussed the connection between addiction, depression and anxiety. 

 

May 17, 2023: CDC: 2022 national overdose deaths hit new record; decline in Michigan

Dr. Allison Lin talks about the tremendous number of overdoses every year in this Detroit Free Press article. 

 

May 3, 2023: Fentanyl overdose deaths surged 279% since 2016 while heroin deaths fell: CDC

Dr. Allison Lin is quoted in this ABC news story

 

April 12, 2023: Education and peer support cut binge-drinking by National Guard members in half, study shows

With hazardous alcohol use threatening military readiness, randomized trial finds tailored education and peer support leads to sustained drop in risky drinking. 

 

April 4, 2023: Podcast Series about Women Leading in Substance Use Prevention Field Features Erin Bonar, Ph.D.

Women Leading Prevention Science is an original podcast series developed by the NIH HEAL Prevention Cooperative and RTI International to inspire women pursuing careers in public health.

 

March 30, 2023: Expert: Stigma, access to blame for mental health care being hard to reach in rural areas

Dr. Lara Coughlin was quoted in this News Channel 3 article on stigma and how it contributes to the lack of access to mental health care in rural areas.

 

March 21, 2023: Drs. Anne Fernandez and Scott Winder Featured on Michigan Radio Stateside

Both experts talked about U-M's Alcohol Related Liver Disease Clinic.

 

March 1, 2023: Erin Bonar, Ph.D. Recognized with the NIH HEAL Initiative® Director’s Award for Mentorship

This national award recognizes Dr. Bonar’s exemplary work and dedication to mentorship in the field of opioid and other substance use research. 

 

February 28, 2023: Former NBA starter Chris Herren to share addiction recovery story in Ann Arbor

The upcoming Chris Herren event was recently featured in M-Live.

 

February 23, 2023: How Alcohol Can Accelerate the Aging Process and Damage Your Health

Anne Fernandez, Ph.D., is quoted in this US News and World Report article on the risks and potential solutions for moderating alcohol intake as you age.

 

 

2022

 

December 27, 2022: People often don’t think about it, but health consequences of alcohol use can be deadly

Dr. Anne Anne Fernandez is quoted in this MLive Media Group article.

 

December 12, 2022: The Fight to End the Nation’s Overdose Epidemic and Restore Compassionate Care: Profiles in Leadership

Dr. Allison Lin's work was highlighted in Manatt Health and the AMA's recent report

 

December 2, 2022: Fatal Drug Overdoses Among U.S. Seniors Have Tripled Since 2000

Dr. Anne Fernandez discusses the increases in overdoses among older adults and the role of alcohol as a major contributor to overdose deaths.

 

November 18, 2022: Is Mind-Altering Ayahuasca Safe? No, But Folks Who Try It May Not Care

Dr. Erin Bonar was quoted in U.S. News & World Report on ayahuasca's perceived side effects.

 

November 16, 2022: Dr. Maureen Walton Recognized for Outstanding Mentorship

 

November 15, 2022: New Award to Help Prevent Adolescent Alcohol Use
Funds awarded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
 

November 11, 2022: Smoking & Drinking Means Higher Surgery Risks, but Health Coaching Before Surgery Could Help
Those who both smoke cigarettes and have multiple alcoholic drinks a day face worse surgical outcomes – but talking about risks before surgery could help.
 

November 2, 2022: Inequality linked to differences in kids’ brain connections

Drs. Chandra Sripada and Mary Heitzeg published results from the ABCD study that shows that socioeconomic factors, including at-home enrichment, are associated with widespread differences in children’s brain connections.

 

September 9, 2022: The U-M Addiction Center Released its Fall eNewsletter

This edition includes information on how to register for upcoming events, the latest addiction research, as well as educational podcasts.

 

September 1, 2022: New Podcast Highlights Women Leading Research for Substance Use Prevention

Women Leading Prevention Science is an original podcast series developed by the NIH HEAL Prevention Cooperative and RTI International to inspire women pursuing careers in public health. Maureen Walton, MPH, Ph.D., is a featured speaker in the first episode. 

 

August 31, 2022: Addiction Center Post-Doctoral Fellow Autumn Rae Florimbio, Ph.D. Received NIH Award for Adolescent Cannabis and Polysubstance Use Research

Dr. Autumn Rae Florimbio was awarded the Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program (LRP) award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, designed to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals into research careers. This award is based on an applicant’s potential to build and sustain a research career. The title of her project is “Clarifying Risk and Protective Factors for Cannabis and Polysubstance Use Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults.” 

 

August 3, 2022: Rapid Shift to Telehealth During Pandemic Helped Patients With OUD Access Buprenorphine 

The APA Psychiatric News highlights a study by Dr. Allision Lin and colleagues on the impact of telehealth policy changes on buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder.

 

June 1, 2022: Study of pre-teens yields surprises about alcohol, tobacco and marijuana

Meghan Martz, Ph.D. and colleagues analyzed ABCD Study data and found that even at age 9 or 10, as many as 10% of children are curious about using substances, and many parents haven’t made specific rules or say kids’ access at home would be easy.

 

June 22, 2022: Michigan Medicine Presents: The Science of Addiction Podcast Series

 The Science of Addiction podcast series talks features experts from U-M Addiction Treatment Services.

 

June 15, 2022: Dr. Maureen Walton Recognized for Outstanding Mentorship

 Dr. Maureen Walton has been selected as one of the 2022 Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) Outstanding Mentorship Awardees.

 

May 27, 2022: Mental Health & Cannabis: Does a Gummy a Day Keep Anxiety Away?

U-M Addiction Center experts share their expertise on the uses and effects of cannabis.

 

May 24, 2022: The American Academy of Pediatrics Released a Policy Statement on Medically Accurate, Person-First, Non-Stigmatizing Terminology

Dr. Joanna Quigley co-authored a policy statement on the recommended terminology for substance use disorders in the care of children, adolescents, young adults, and families.

 

May 17, 2022: New Healthcare Professional’s Core Resource on Alcohol

A new, free resource for providers was just released by the National Institute of Alcohol and Alcoholism (NIAAA). The Core Resource on Alcohol was created with the input and guidance from practicing clinicians, including Drs. Anne Fernandez, Lewei Allison Lin and Jessica Mellinger. 

 

May 11 2022: Mind Matters - Family and Addiction: How families and friends can get help and support a loved one with Addiction

In this last session of the 4-part series, participants learned helpful information and strategies when dealing with a loved one who has a substance use problem. Click the link above to access the recording.

 

May 5, 2022: Dr. Anne Fernandez Received $3 Million in Funding to Help Patients Reduce Alcohol Use Before and After Surgery to Reduce Surgical Complications

Reducing Alcohol use among Elective Surgical Patients using Adaptive Interventions

 

May 2, 2022: Drs. Allison Lin and Erin Bonar Received $3.4 Million in Funding to Study Virtually-Delivered Care for People with Alcohol Use Disorders

Leveraging Virtual Care Strategies to Improve Access and Treatment for Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorders

 

April 21, 2022: Michigan Daily: U-M study finds most adolescents with severe substance use disorder symptoms do not transition out of it in adulthood

Charles Graham, Ph.D., LMSW, MA, is quoted in this Michigan Daily article.

 

April 20, 2022: Mental Minute Podcast Episode: Substance Use and Addiction Research with Meghan Martz, Ph.D.

Dr. Meghan Martz discusses her interest in increasing research on precision health treatments and the use of big data projects to better inform prevention strategies.

 

February 28, 2022: Precision Health WebsiteNew risk prediction model for opioid misuse after surgery surpasses accuracy of previous models

A risk prediction model developed by Dr. Anne Fernandez and other U-M researchers, has the potential to pinpoint those individuals most at risk of persistent opioid use (POU) after surgery and allow health care practitioners to take POU prevention measures before surgery.

 

February 25, 2022: Michigan Medicine Headlines - A Heroic Night: Community Comes Together to Help Fight Addiction Stigma

Members of the Michigan Medicine and Ann Arbor community came together for a common purpose — to help fight addiction and the stigma that comes with it. 

 

February 11, 2022: Michigan Medicine Headlines - The Importance of Tackling Addiction and the Stigma Associated With It

The U-M Addiction Center and Washtenaw Families Against Narcotics (FAN) have partnered with documentary filmmaker Mike Ramsdell to inspire and motivate critical conversations about addiction stigma.

 

January 14, 2022: Overcoming alcohol-related liver disease

Dr. Anne Fernandez and colleagues are featured in this important patient story.

 

January 14, 2022: Ann Arbor Event to Throw a Punch at Addiction Stigma

Documentary film producer Mike Ramsdell from Under the Hood Productions teamed up with the University of Michigan Addiction Center and Washtenaw Families Against Narcotics to bring a one-of-a-kind free event to the Michigan Theater on the evening of February 22, 2022, starting at 5:30 p.m. 

 

January 5, 2022: American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry 

Dr. Allison Lin is named Chair of the Research Committee on the board of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry. 

 

2021

November 19, 2021: U.S. News & World Report: 22 Ways Alcohol Affects the Aging Process

Dr. Anne Fernandez provided expert commentary and information on this U.S. News & World Report slideshow on the excessive use of alcohol and its negative effects on the brain, body, and mood as we age.

 

November 18, 2021: Tradeoffs Podcast: Rethinking Telehealth's Role in Treating Addiction

Dr. Allison Lin participated in a podcast on telehealth for addiction treatment during COVID-19 and beyond. She discusses the evidence for telehealth treatment for opioid addiction, barriers to care, and other considerations for policymakers to keep in mind as they decide whether to keep telehealth around post-COVID-19.

 

November 10, 2021: The Hill - Lawmakers introduce bill to examine opioid use in veterans

Dr. Allison Lin's study of the rise in veteran opioid overdose deaths was cited by The Hill in this story. A statement from two members of Congress led to this story. 

 

November 9, 2021: The Michigan Daily - University clinicians continue providing accessible virtual mental health services despite relaxed COVID-19 restrictions

Dr. Allison Lin discusses telehealth and patient preferences among patients with fewer resources who live in rural areas.

 

November 4, 2021: Telehealth for Opioid Use Disorder Toolkit is Now Available

Dr. Allison Lin co-authored a toolkit with clinical guidance for those delivering, managing, and considering telehealth care for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD).

 

October 27, 2021: Drinks in the sunset years: Why the Queen has to start skipping her favorite martini

For those who are taking prescription medications, abstaining from alcohol is often recommended. Dr. Anne Fernandez is quoted in this Fox News piece. 

 

October 12, 2021: Overdose Deaths Involving Cocaine or Meth Tripled in Shadow of Opioid Crisis

U-M faculty Drs. Laura Couglin and Allison Lin contributed to a study on veterans that showed many fatal overdoses involving multiple substances; 70% of those who died with stimulants in their systems hadn’t received recent addiction treatment.

 

October 6, 2021: The Quest to Unlock Brain Functions Tied to Addiction

TreatmentMagazine.com shares an article written by Meghan E. Martz, Ph.D.

 

September 22, 2021: Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program names a new director

Dr. Allison Lin has embraced the opportunity to lead the U-M Addiction Center's Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program. 

 

August 20, 2021: Dr. Lin’s Michigan Answer: A Telehealth Approach to Mental Health

Allison Lin, M.D., M.S., is participating in the new Michigan Answers advertising campaign 

 

June 29, 2021: The COVID Pandemic: Mental Health and Substance Use

Cynthia Burton, Ph.D., and Alexander Weigard, Ph.D., presented a webinar to NAMI Metro as part of the Psychiatry Community Talks series. The recording is available.

 

June 25, 2021: Children’s mental health during the pandemic. UMATS adolescent social worker, Dr. Charles Graham and U-M colleagues offer coping strategies to share with families.

 

June 9, 2021: Poll finds risky drinking patterns in older adults during pandemicThose who drink alcohol to boost their mood, to relieve stress, boredom or pain may be more at risk in pandemic – but “social drinkers” should watch intake too.

 

May 27, 2021: Dr. Meghan Martz and colleagues published new research findings in Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience

Dr. Martz and colleagues published research findings in Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience on subtypes of brain functioning as they relate to substance use behavior.

 

May 21, 2021: Treatment Barrier Falls, but More Remain, for People with Opioid Issues

Dr. Allison Lin weighs on recent policy shift aimed improve access to buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.

 

April 21, 2021: Alcohol Awareness Month Offers Opportunity to Reassess

Since 1987, the month of April has been recognized as Alcohol Awareness Month by the National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD).

 

April 9, 2021: The Impact of Telehealth and the Patient Experience

Dr. Allison Lin participated in the Michigan Medicine Well Aware Webinar on telehealth and the patient experience.

 

March 10, 2021: Giving Blueday

The U-M Addiction Center raised $6,020 for Giving Blueday. The funds were raised to start a positive reinforcement program for UMATS patients. This could not have been possible without the faculty & staff who generously donated. Thank you very much!

 

February 2021: Psychiatry Research E-Newsletter

Research from Addiction Center faculty were featured in the U-M Department of Psychiatry March 2021 Research E-Newsletter.

 

January 28, 2021: The Conversation: Weed withdrawal: More than half of people using medical cannabis for pain experience withdrawal symptoms

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Lara Coughlin, Ph.D., published this piece in The Conversation

 

January 14, 2021: Being UnNormal Podcast: Being an Addiction Specialist

Kimberly Berry, founder of the website "Being UnNormal" recently interviewed UMATS social worker, Sarah Rollins, LMSW, for a podcast on "Being An Addiction Specialist".

 

January 8, 2021: M-Health Lab & January 15, 2021: VICE: More Than Half of People Using Cannabis for Pain Experience Multiple Withdrawal Symptoms

Dr. Lara Couglin and colleagues conducted a study and found that more than half of people who use medical marijuana products to ease pain also experience clusters of multiple withdrawal symptoms when they’re between uses. 

 

2020

Medicine at Michigan: Fall 2020: Using Alone and Reinventing Recovery: How COVID-19 Is Upending Addiction and Treatment

“As many examples of this being a negative, we have countless examples of people stepping up for themselves and loved ones, as well as for others,” says Ilgen.

 

December 3, 2020: M-Health Lab: People in Addiction Recovery Less Likely to Get Effective Depression Care

Dr. Lara Coughlin's study points to need for better support for Veterans facing both conditions.

 

December 1, 2020: Vox: “The stakes are life and death”: Addiction treatment’s Covid-19 challenge

Dr. Allison Lin is quoted in Vox article on access to drug addiction treatment during the pandemic that could go away.

 

Fall 2020: Medicine at Michigan: Using Alone and Reinventing Recovery: How COVID-19 Is Upending Addiction and Treatment

Dr. Ilgen says the pandemic has motivated other patients to “rise to the occasion and really invest in their recovery.”

 

October 29, 2020: Psychiatric News: Depression Care Suboptimal for Patients With Comorbid Substance Use Disorders, Study Finds

Dr. Lara Coughlin and colleagues published a study in AJP in Advance showing that patients with co-occurring depression and substance use disorders may be less likely to receive optimal depression treatment than those with depression alone.

 

September 30, 2020: Michigan Radio: Michigan receives almost $80 million in federal grant money to counter opioid crisis

Dr. Allision Lin was quoted in a Michigan Radio article about the new State funding for programs that aim to improve the prevention and treatment of opioid addiction, and reduce harm.

 

September 29, 2020: SAMHSA: Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 26: Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults

Dr. Frederic Blow is Consensus Panel Chair for the TIP 26, which was recently updated and released by SAMHSA. This important protocol designed to help providers and others better understand how to identify, manage, and prevent substance misuse in older adults. 

 

September 11, 2020: Frontiers in Psychiatry: Reconsidering the Usefulness of Adding Naloxone to Buprenorphine

Dr. Jonathan Morrow co-authored an opinion piece on reasons to reconsider the usefulness of adding naloxone to buprenorphine.

 

August 31, 2020: National Overdose Awareness Day

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recognizes Overdose Awareness Day and launches new partnership with EMS to provide more overdose antidote kits. View the press release here: Click here to get involved. 

 

August 18, 2020: M Health Lab: These Drugs Carry Risks and May Not Help, But Many Dementia Patients Get Them Anyway

From opioids and antipsychotics to antidepressants and anxiety medicines, a new study led by Dr. Donovan Maust looks at prescriptions among community-dwelling older adults with dementia.

 

July 30, 2020: Elemental: Covid ‘Cocktail Crisis’ Adds to America’s Serious Drinking Problem

Frederic C. Blow, Ph.D. was quoted in this important news story on how COVID-19 stresses have fueled the drinking pandemic, increasing the risk of premature death, especially for middle-aged adults.

 

July 30,2020: Medpage Today: Telehealth Can Be a Lifeline for Patients With Addictions. Is It Enough?

Allison Lin, M.D., was quoted in this story on how telemedicine has improved treatment access for some patients with substance use disorders during the pandemic, it doesn't meet all of the needs of an already vulnerable population.

 

July 24, 2020: Drug and Alcohol Dependence: Alcohol expectancies mediate the association between the neural response to emotional words and alcohol consumption

Sarah Brislin, Ph.D., & colleagues publish their research in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

 

July 8, 2020:  Christian Science Monitor: Addiction, hope, and recovery in the time of COVID-19

Sarah Rollins, LMSW, and clinical therapist at U-M Addiction Treatment Services discusses the importance of social support for those struggling with addiction and how recovery is possible even during the isolation and anxiety of the pandemic via technology. “I just want to give a message of hope, this is not something that has to be a life sentence.” 

 

April 27, 2020: Michigan Medicine Facebook Livechat: Managing Addiction During Quarantine

Jonathan Morrow, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Michigan Addiction Center, explains the strains that social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic place on those struggling with addiction, and provides suggestions for getting help and prioritizing recovery during this challenging time. The video is produced by Michigan Medicine as part of the resources for COVID-19. 

 

April 17, 2020: The Wrap Michigan Medicine Podcast: The Wrap Podcast Provides Tips & Resources to Tackle Alcohol and Substance Abuse During COVID-19

This week, Frederic Blow, Ph.D., stopped by The Wrap employee podcast to discuss alcohol and substance abuse during times of crisis and stress.

 

April 7, 2020: Dealing with Isolation: Northwest Wayne Families Against Narcotics Family Forum Recorded Meeting

Dr. Blow discussed the impact of isolation on addiction recovery for both those with substance use disorder and their families, and will present approaches for dealing with the isolation we are all experiencing due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

February 20, 2020: MI Athletics: Why I'm Participating in the Big House 5K: Izzy Yardley

Hi! I'm Izzy. I am running the Big House 5K for the millions worldwide suffering from addiction and for their families who are affected by the disease. I run to support the U-M Addiction Center, and I run because I work for University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS). I run because I'm an alcoholic in recovery. Read more.

 

January 9, 2020: M-Health Lab: This drug could save their lives, but less than 2% of them get it.

 Drs. Allison Lin, Amy Bohnert, and colleagues published research in the Journal of General Internal Medicine finding that only 2% of people at risk for an opioid overdose actually are prescribed naloxone. 

 

January 3, 2020: Popular Science: How to maintain a buzz without getting drunk

Dr. Anne Fernandez was featured in the Popular Science article titled: How to maintain a buzz without getting drunk.

 

2019

December 20, 2019: Altmetric Top 100 list in 2019

Dr. Maureen Walton (and colleagues) had a paper titled published in NEJM in early 2019 titled The Major Causes of Death in Children and Adolescents in the United States. The research came in at number 84 on this year's Altmetric Top 100 list in 2019, putting their paper in the top 0.007% of all discussed research this year!

 

November 14, 2019: AP News: Whitmer seeks to cut opioid deaths in half within 5 years

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, left, Michigan's chief medical executive and the chief deputy for health at the state Department of Health and Human Services, announces initiatives to cut the number of opioid overdose deaths in half within five years during a news conference with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

 

November 8, 2019: Institute for Research on Women & Gender: IRWG seed grant supports first-of-its-kind mHealth app for teen girls

Dr. Golfo Tzilos Wernette receives seed grant to develop the first known mobile app tailored for adolescent girls at risk for substance use and sexual risk taking.

 

November 5, 2019: Jamie Lee Curtis Opens Up on Her Drug Addiction and Recovery

Jamie Lee Curtis opens up about struggling with a Vicodin addiction for more than a decade early in her career. In February of 1999, she had a moment of clarity in the middle of the night that she says saved her life, and she started to take sobriety seriously after that day. 

 

November 1, 2019: The Scientist : Secrets in the Brains of People Who Have Committed Murder.

Dr. Lora Cope was featured in this article on brain differences of individuals who've committed murder.

 

October 11, 2019: National focus on overdose prevention should include alcohol too, study suggests

Addiction Center faculty, Anne Fernandez, M.A., Ph.D., Amy Bohnert, M.H.S., Ph.D., and colleagues published a new study on treatment for addiction that showed 90% had a history of alcohol overdose, and 80% of the time they were taking other addictive drugs at the time they overdosed.

 

September 30, 2019: The University Record: U-M teams receive $25.5M for opioid-related prevention, treatment research

U-M Addiction Center faculty Dr. Maureen Walton and Dr. Erin Bonar received $6.9 million for emergency department-based opioid risk screening and virtual counseling for teens and young adults. Dr. Mark Ilgen and Dr. Allison Lin, U-M Addiction Center faculty, received $4.7 million for telehealth-based treatment for adults with both opioid use disorder and chronic pain. 

 

August 5th, 2019: Elemental: Baby Boomers on a Drinking Binge

New research shows that one in 10 of them over 65 engages in college-style drinking behaviors. Dr. Blow weighs in.

 

July 29, 2019: Medicine at Michigan: The Opioid Epidemic: Now What?

Drs. Blow, Ilgen, Heitzeg, Blazes, Zucker, Bonar, Jouney, and Bohnert are all featured in Medicine at Michigan issue focused on the varied approaches to fighting the opioid epidemic, including innovations in both prevention and treatment — and why there might be “great reason for hope.”

 

July 27th, 2019: The Wrap Podcast: The Wrap highlights U-M Addiction Treatment Services

This week, Fred Blow, Ph.D. stopped by The Wrap to offer potentially life-saving information about U-M Addiction Treatment Services.

 

July 24th, 2019: Michigan Medicine Headlines:  It Saved My Life: How U-M Addiction Treatment Services Impacts Those Who Reach Out

A current U-M Addiction Treatment Services patient shares his journey to recovery.

 

July 2019: U-M Clinical Trials Community Newsletter: New Study Aims to Reduce Cannabis Use in Young Adults Through Social Media

The Behavior, Function, and Pain CTSU is currently supporting a behavioral study run entirely online and led by Principal Investigator, Erin Bonar, Ph.D. This study aims to reduce cannabis use in young adults aged 18 to 25.

 

July 17, 2019: NPR / Stateside: You can buy it at gas stations, but expert warns the drug Kratom is unregulated and under-researched

Dr. Edward Jouney joins Stateside to talk about the possible benefits and dangers of this drug, and what you should know before buying it. 

 

July 2nd, 2019: Detroit Free Press: Kratom: It's legal in Michigan and people are using it to get high. Here's what to know

But many doctors say kratom (pronounced KRAY-tum or KRAH-tum) is dangerous because it works like an opioid, can make users high and can also be habit-forming. Plus, experts say, there's no real scientific proof it can cure anything.

 

June 26, 2019: NPR / Stateside: In this era of legal cannabis, a doctor's warning

Dr. Christopher Blazes discusses the potential side effects of marijuana, and the need for additional research.

 

June 4, 2019: Legalized Cannabis Brings New Challenges for Health Care Providers

Dr. Christopher Blazes discusses marijuana’s growing availability and public acceptance , and its unintended consequence for users — including some who end up needing emergency care.

 

May 23, 2019: More research needed to understand benefits, harms of cannabis for pain

More research is needed to understand the harms and potential benefits of cannabis use among patients with chronic pain, Mark Ilgen, PhD, professor of psychiatry, director of the University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services and research investigator in the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, said in a video interview at APA Annual Meeting.

 

May 21, 2019: MI Senate bills would allow librarians to administer Narcan

Three bills that would allow people such as librarians and teachers to administer treatments for opioid overdoses are being considered in Michigan's state Senate.

 

May 9, 2019: Opioid addiction: Michigan counties struggle to meet the need for treatment

Dr. Amy Bohnert was quoted in a Michigan News press release on the opioid crisis and the substantial barriers to accessing care across the state.

 

May 9th, 2019

How Elizabeth Warren Tackles The Opioid Epidemic In Her Latest Policy Plan

Dr. Erin Bonar was quoted in a Bustle article on Elizabeth Warren's plan to tackle the opioid epidemic.

 

May 8th, 2019

Stark racial, financial divides found in opioid addiction treatment

Sharp growth in appointments for buprenorphine prescriptions mainly involved white patients; and three-quarters of prescriptions go to those who pay cash or have private insurance.

 

April 15th, 2019: USA Today

Fentanyl: 12 questions about the hidden drug that's killing people every day

Dr. Christopher Blazes was quoted in a Detroit Free Press article on the dangers of Fentanyl. 

 

April 4th, 2019: The New England Journal of Medicine

Coorespondence: Understanding Links among Opioid Use, Overdose, and Suicide

Drs. Amy Bohnert and Mark Ilgen were referred to in NEJM letter to the editor on their review article: Understanding the Link among Opioid Use, Overdoes, and Suicide.

 

March 28th, 2019: The Virginian Pilot

Opioids played a role in nearly half of Virginia’s lost medical licenses over the past two decades

Dr. Edward Jouney was interviewed for a Virginian-Pilot article on the loss of medical licenses due to opioid abuse or irresponsible prescribing.

 

March 1th, 2019: Michigan Radio

New program will train doctors to better treat opioid addiction

Dr. Edward Jouney was interviewed by Michigan Radio.

 

March 2019: Bridge MI

Suicides, often linked to opioids, spike in rural Michigan and among young

Drs. Amy Bohnert and Mark Ilgen were interviewed for a story on the link between opioid use and suicide.

 

March 5th, 2019

Dr. Christopher Blazes participated in a “Experts’ Roundtable on Implementing Evidence-based Strategies to Reduce Opioid Overuse, Misuse, and Overdose” in Washington DC, which was organized by the CDC.

 

March 2019

Congratulations to Dr. Kirk Brower who was appointed as faculty director of the new Michigan Medicine Wellness Office and chief wellness officer for the U-M Medical School.

 

March 2019: New Grant Award

Dr. Mark Ilgen been awarded a VA Research Career Scientist Award - the highest funded level of career recognition for VA PhD researchers. The award recognizes his research on substance use as well as suicide prevention. This award will fund Mark’s VA effort for the next five years – congratulations!

 

March 2019: New Addiction Center Grant Award

Drs. Laura Cope, Jonathan Morrow and Mary Heitzeg received a MICHR Pathway to First Grant Award. The team will study “Incentive-sensitization and human addiction risk: A behavioral and fMRI investigation.”

 

February 2019: New Addiction Center Grant Award

Enhancing Mental Health Care Through Mobile Health Technology

Drs. Amy Bohnert and Srijan Sen were awarded funding from Precision Health for a project.

 

March 19th, 2019:  Action 4/Click on Detroit/All About Ann Arbor

Science on Screen brings film about addiction, bipolar disorder to Michigan Theater April 30

 

February 25th: M-Health Blog

New Clinic Promotes Shared Care to Treat Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Drs. Scott Winder and Anne Fernandez were quoted in a new Michigan Medicine blog.

 

January 10th, 2019: M Health Lab

More Than Half of People Taking Cannabis for Chronic Pain Report Driving While High

New study finds worrisome statistics around medical cannabis users operating vehicles.

 

January 7th, 2019: Institute For Healthcare Policy & Innovation

Opioids Fueled a Doubling of Suicides and Overdoses in the U.S.

Turning the tide demands improvements to pain care, mental health care and medication-assisted opioid addiction care, researchers say.

 

January 2nd, 2019: Chicago Tribune

More evidence that abuse of Xanax, Valium is on the rise

Dr. Maust discusses how young adults are most likely to misuse benzos, which are typically prescribed to treat conditions like anxiety and depression.

 

2018

November 2nd, 2018: Michigan Health Lab

Cannabis On The Ballot: What Researchers Think You Should Know

Dr. Meghan Martz offered a commentary on recreational and medical marijuana, the state of knowledge about the drug and its derivatives.

 

October 19th, 2018: U-M Precision Health Investigator Award

Precision Prevention of New Persistent Opioid Use Following Surgery: A machine learning-based treatment approach

Dr. Anne Fernandez was announced as a 2018 U-M Precision Health Investigator Award winner!

 

October 8th, 2018: Michigan Health Blog

How to Address a Drinking Problem

Dr. Allison Lin was featured in a blog on how to determine of a person's alcohol consumption is unhealthy, and why having the conversation is crucial.

 

October, 2018: Published Book

Sign-Tracking and Drug Addiction

How does drug addiction happen? Dr. Jonathan Morrow published a book on the study of sign-tracking and the drug addiction process.

 

September 12th, 2018: Michigan Health Blog

Why It's So Difficult to Recover from Substance Use Disorders

Impacted by genetics and life experience, addiction can vary by individual. Learn about the biology and treatment options that can help.

 

September 10th, 2018: Annals of Internal Medicine

Pain, Opioids, and Suicide Mortality in the United States

Dr. Mark Ilgen discusses the findings from the recent study by Petrosky and colleagues that show an increase in suicides among persons with chronic pain, and is a potentially lethal consequence of suffering in patients with pain.

 

September 10th, 2018: CBS, Los Angeles

Study suggests pain could be risk factor for suicide

Dr. Mark Igen discusses the relationship between chronic pain, opioids, and suicide and the importance suicide risk assessment for suicide prevention.

 

September 6th, 2018: Michigan Medicine Headlines

Addiction Center Helps Individuals Get on the Road to Recovery

“Substance abuse and addiction is a disease, not a moral failing,” said Fred Blow, Ph.D., director of the Addiction Center at Michigan Medicine. “And there is no shame in an individual seeking treatment for such a disease, just as they would any other health condition.”

 

July 20th, 2018: New Grant Awarded to University of Michigan Addiction Center Faculty, Dr. Erin Bonar

Dr. Erin Bonar was awarded a new grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) titled: Harnessing social media to reduce cannabis use among adolescents and emerging adults in an urban emergency department. The funding period is through June 2021.

 

July 13th, 2018: Michigan Health Lab

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction in Medical Professionals

Licensed medical professionals face just as much risk of a substance use disorder as the general population, and they have a higher likelihood of opioid misuse, says Dr. Edward Jouney.

 

July 4th, 2018: The University of Michigan Addiction Center was the featured charity for the Firecracker 5k

The Firecracker 5k was a huge success with over 1,100 participants! A special thank you to Epic Races for supporting the University of Michigan Addiction Center.

 

June 26th, 2018: Michigan Health

How to Spot Signs of Opioid Addiction

Dr. Jonathan Morrow discussed the use of an 11-point checklist to help determine if a person’s opioid use signals a deeper problem. 

 

June 19th, 2018: NIH News Release

Methadone and buprenorphine reduce risk of death after opioid overdose

NIH research confirms effective treatments for opioid use disorder are underutilized.

 

June 8th, 2018: Michigan Health Lab

Michigan’s New Opioid Rules, Explained

As the opioid epidemic worsens, government is introducing new legislation that has many upset. Learn from an expert in pain medication what it really means for health care providers.

 

May 18th, 2018: Michigan Health

Do You Have a Drinking Problem? 11 Warning Signs to Know

 Doctors consider multiple factors when gauging a patient’s alcohol issues and advising proper treatment. Dr. Anne Fernandez explains the approach.

 

May 16th, 2018: Bridge MI

Michigan Roulette: The rise of a deadly street opioid

A new Bridge MI article references Dr. Amy Bohnert’s work on the Michigan Opioid Collaborative initiative.

 

May 11th, 2018: Health Affairs

Meeting The Opioid Challenge: Getting Naloxone to Those Who Need it Most

Dr. Amy Bohnert and collaborators authored a piece for this Health Affairs blog.

 

May 4th, 2018: Michigan Health

Chronic Pain Therapy Group Eases Coping, Conversation

A new Michigan Medicine program aims to teach patients about alternate and effective ways to deal with discomfort, and to find strength in each other.

 

May 4th, 2018: The University Record

More funding needed in opioid battle, researcher says

More funding is needed to address the opioid epidemic that is projected to cost the United States economy $200 billion by 2020, U-M researcher Rebecca Haffajee says. An article she co-authored suggests hundreds of millions of federal dollars are needed in specific programs to help save lives and mitigate other immediate harms.

 

May 1st, 2018: ASAM Weekly

When Raised Among Drug and Alcohol Abuse, What Makes Some Teens ‘Resilient’?

Dr. Meghan Martz and colleagues examined functional MRI and performance testing data in 57 participants of the Michigan Longitudinal Study to better understand why some young adults in families with addiction are less prone to subsequent substance misuse. The participants with more resilience showed heightened activation in the prefrontal cortex but no difference in the processing of rewards.

 

April 24th, 2018: Michigan Health Lab

When Raised Among Drug and Alcohol Abuse, What Makes Some Teens ‘Resilient’?

Kids with a family history of substance use are likely to mimic those behaviors. Dr. Martz and colleagues studied their brain activity to see why certain youths do not.

 

April 18th, 2018: The University Record

Opioid Solutions promotes collaborative approach to epidemic:

The new Opioid Solutions community, a resource developed by the U-M's Office of Research, Injury Prevention Center and Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, serves as a central hub for U-M research, educational activities and community outreach related to opioids.

 

April 13th, 2018: The University Record

Group offers free screening tools for Alcohol Awareness Month

A2C3 is urging members of the community to consider the role that alcohol plays in their lives by hosting a series of alcohol screening events on and off campus as part of Alcohol Awareness Month.

 

April 11th, 2018: Inside Higher Ed

Confronting the Opioid Crisis

Nursing colleges add curricula to deal with a growing public health problem.

 

April 6th, 2018: Michigan Medicine Headlines

Department of Psychiatry Offers Addiction Treatment, Recovery Resources For Health Professionals

U-M Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS) offers a specialized program designed for health care workers battling addiction or other mental health problems.

 

March 13th, 2018: Bridge

Michigan falls short in frontline treatment for opioid crisis

Michigan has more people dying of opioid overdoses than physicians trained to prescribe a drug that may save their lives.

 

February 16th, 2018 : Book

Alcohol Use Disorders: A Developmental Science Approach to Etiology

Edited by Hiram E. Fitzgerald and Leon I. Puttler

2018: Oxford University Press

This book, a product of contributions presented during the April 2015 Festschrift celebration of Dr. Robert Zucker’s substance abuse research career, focuses on developmental issues relating to the etiology and progression of alcohol use disorders from infancy to early adulthood.  The speakers, along with 40 other nationally known researchers contributed chapters on their work and its interface with Dr. Zucker’s contributions.  Among the authors were Department of Psychiatry faculty: Drs. Cranford, Heitzeg, and Hicks, and a number of other UM and affiliated faculty: Drs. Buu, Puttler, Schulenberg, Trucco, and Wong.

 

January 31st, 2018: The Today Show

The ABCD Study Featured on the Today Show

The ABCD Study was featured on the Today Show in a wonderful segment where Dr. Susan Bookheimer was interviewed by NBC special correspondent Maria Shriver.

 

2017

December 20th, 2017: Michigan Health

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction: What’s Available, What Works

One expert recommends that everyone battling opioid use disorder keep Narcan at home for emergencies — and seek information about available addiction therapies.

 

December 14th, 2017: NIH News Release

Vaping popular among teens; opioid misuse at historic lows

NIH’s 2017 Monitoring the Future survey shows both vaping and marijuana are more popular than traditional cigarettes or pain reliever misuse.

 

December 6th, 2017: M Health Lab

These Surgeons Cut Opioid Prescriptions Dramatically, With No Increase in Pain

Guidelines developed from gallbladder patient data and interviews form the basis of a new effort to right-size opioid prescribing for many operations.

 

December 4th, 2017

Campaign Seeks To Fight The Stigma Of Addiction Through Community Conversations

A series of community discussions and an interactive website featuring the stories of the opioid crisis will launch in Pennsylvania next year as part of a campaign to reduce the stigma associated with drug addiction.

 

December 1st, 2017: Book

Physician Mental Health and Well-Being: Research and Practice

Drs. Kirk Brower and Michelle Riba’s book titled, “Physician mental health and well-being: research and practice” received a very positive review, which appeared in the December 2017 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

 

November 22nd, 2017

On November 28, The Addiction Center is participating in Giving Blueday

Learn more about what the U-M Addiction Center is doing to treat addiction and how you can help make an even bigger impact Giving Blueday. 

 

November 3rd, 2017

Addressing and Preventing Adolescent Substance Use: 2017 Connection Session

The Adolescent Health Initiative is offering a free training session on addressing and preventing adolescent substance use, on November 3rd, 2017 at Washtenaw Community College. 

 

October 24th, 2017: IHPI

Violence, addiction, suicide & beyond: Mark Ilgen helps Capitol Hill audience understand current knowledge

Amid a national crisis of substance use and overdose, and rising suicide rates, the national Injury and Violence Prevention Network sponsored a briefing for members of Congress and their staff on the intersections between these issues on Oct. 24.  Addiction Center faculty, Mark Ilgen, Ph.D., who has studied these issues, spoke about the current state of knowledge and called for further research. 

 

October 18th, 2017: M Health Lab

How Primary Care Doctors Can Help Patients Beat Opioid Addiction

General physicians can deliver medication-assisted treatment with help from team members they probably already have in their clinics, a new analysis concludes.

 

October 12th, 2017: IHPI

IHPI Research Seminar Series "The Opioid Epidemic in Washtenaw County - Addiction, Overdose and Paradox"

Adreanne Waller, M.P.H. Epidemiologist, Washtenaw County Public Health will speak on October 12th from 4-5pm at North Campus Research Complex (NCRC) Building 10, Research Auditorium

 

August 9th, 2017

Golfo Tzilos, Ph.D. recognized at APA with early career award

Golfo Tzilos, Ph.D., was recognized in Washington D.C., at the American Psychology Association Convention this month, for her work identifying “Psychosocial Correlates of Marijuana Use Among Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Adolescent Girls."

 

August 8th, 2017

Dr. Erin Bonar has been appointed as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing

Dr. Erin bonar has been appointed as a visiting scholar at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Family and Community Health in the School of Nursing. Dr. Bonar will work closely with Dr. José Bauermeister's research team in the Program for Sexuality, Technology & Action Research and bring her expertise in Motivational Interviewing to his team and the department.

 

August 3rd, 2017: M Health Lab

New CDC Funding for U-M Injury Center Probes Solutions to the Opioid Epidemic and Injuries Nationally

Injuries are a leading cause of death — and completely preventable. To bolster research in this area, the U-M Injury Center just received new federal funding.

 

August 2nd, 2017

Symposium: Opioids and Stimulants: Use and Abuse

This symposium will feature experts in the neurobiology and pharmacology of opioid and cocaine actions in both human and animal models, as well as in the detection and forensics of these drugs in our communities.

 

July 21st, 2017: M Health, Wellness and Prevention

'True Blood' Actor’s Death Spotlights Danger of Alcohol Withdrawal

Cutting out alcohol without medical guidance can be dangerous for chronic drinkers, as shown by the death of Nelsan Ellis. Learn more about safe withdrawal methods.

 

July 20st, 2017

Dr. Bob Zucker Awarded NACoA’s 2017 Margaret Cork Award

In June, the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA) presented Robert Zucker, Ph.D., with the 2017 Margaret Cork Award, the organization’s oldest award.

 

July 19th, 2017: M Health Lab

Prescription Tracking Tackles Misuse of Opioids and Other Drugs — But Results Vary

Prescription drug monitoring programs could help fight a national epidemic and boost the effort to get people treatment, research shows. But states differ widely in implementation.

 

June 27th, 2017: Michigan News

More than half of all opioid prescriptions go to people with mental illness

"Despite representing only 16 percent of the adult population, adults with mental health disorders receive more than half of all opioid prescriptions distributed each year in the United States," said Matthew Davis, lead author of the study and assistant professor at the U-M School of Nursing.

 

June 12th, 2017: M Health Lab

Risky Bingeing: Women in Appalachian Ohio Report Higher Rates of Alcohol Misuse

How much alcohol women drink may depend on where they live. A new study finds one-fifth of women in Appalachian Ohio imbibe at alarming levels.

 

May 19th, 2017: M Health Blog

Science Says: Addiction Is a Chronic Disease, Not a Moral Failing

Understanding the brain’s role in addiction can help break the stigma surrounding the illness — and encourage individuals to seek help.

 

May 15th, 2017: Michigan Medicine

Spring cleaning that can save lives: May 20 drug takeback events in five Michigan cities

Free, no-questions-asked chance to get opioids and other unneeded medicines out of the house, organized by U-M opioid-reduction project. 

 

May 1st, 2017: School of Nursing

American Nurses Association Endorses Position Statement on Substance Use Among Nurses and Nursing Students, Authored by UMSN Professor

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has endorsed a joint position statement from the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA) that encourages a focus on prevention, treatment and recovery for nurses and nursing students with substance use and related disorders, as opposed to punishment.

 

March 13th, 2017: M Health Lab

Why One Pain Specialist Hasn’t Prescribed an Opioid in 10 Years

Opioids don’t work for most people with chronic pain. A pain expert explains why doctors should consider other options for their patients.

 

March 10th, 2017: M Health Lab

Drug Use Drops After ER Visits Used as ‘Teachable Moments’

In a randomized controlled trial, a brief talk with a counselor helped ER patients reduce drug misuse, and a “virtual therapist” on a tablet also showed promise.

 

March 7th, 2017: M Health Blog

Uncover New Insights into Childhood Brain Developments

U-M is recruiting parents and children for a unique opportunity: paid participation in a national study of healthy brain development.

 

March 6, 2017: The Boston Globe

$25m Gift to Help Launch Opioid Treatment Center

The Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine will open at Boston Medical Center. In disclosing their gift of $25m to fund the center, John Grayken and his wife, Eilene said they usually do charitable giving anonymously, but are going public to destigmatize addiction and encourage others to follow their lead.

 

February 14th, 2017: M Health Lab

Use of Risky Brain-Affecting Drug Combinations Rising Among Seniors

Opioids, tranquilizers, antidepressants and antipsychotics affect the central nervous system, and combining them can put older people at risk. But new data show concerning prescribing trends.

 

January 27th, 2017: UM School of Nursing

Clinical Associate Professor Stephen Strobbe has been selected for a Fulbright Flex U.S. Scholar grant

Screening adolescents for substance use will be the focus of the award through collaboration with the University of São Paulo (USP) at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing in Brazil.

 

January 23rd, 2017: NPR

Rural Colorado's Opioid Connections Might Hold Clues To Better Treatment

As the drug use reaches into more communities across the country, researchers are scrambling to both diagnose what causes some people and some regions to be more susceptible to opioid abuse, and to devise solutions.

 

January 17th, 2017: Healio / O7P News

VA program reduced prescriptions of 'risky' opioid dosages for veterans

A new digital tracking system was behind the decrease — suggesting a potential partial solution that other health systems could adopt to fight the opioid epidemic.

 

January 13th, 2017: M Health Lab

Fewer Veterans Got Risky Opioid Prescriptions Thanks to National VA Effort

The Opioid Safety Initiative (OSI), established by the Veterans Health Administration (VA) in 2013, created a dashboard tool that used a national computerized medical record and allowed clinicians at 141 VA hospitals to review opioid prescribing and receive feedback.

 

January 10th, 2017: Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation

National VA effort reduced risky opioid prescriptions for veterans

Reductions in highest doses through computer “dashboard” and prioritizing painkiller safety suggests other large health systems could do the same.

 

2016

December 12th, 2016: M Health Lab

Study: Rural Communities See Steep Increase in Babies Born with Opioid Withdrawal

The rate of babies exposed to opioids in utero is increasing dramatically in rural America, a U-M study finds.

 

December 6th, 2016: The Huffington Post

Sorry, Weed Probably Won’t Help You Sleep

Dr. Deirdre Conroy was interviewed for a Huffington Post article on marijuana and sleep.

 

November 21st, 2016: NPR On Point

How To Spot — And Treat — Addiction In Your Family

Dr. Erin Bonar participated in an interview on NPR related to the Surgeon General's report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.

 

November 18th, 2016: MEDPAGETODAY

What the Surgeon General's Addiction Report Really Means

Drs. Amy Bohnert and Allison Lin provided video commentary on the landmark report.

 

November 16th, 2016: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health

Surgeon general: 1 in 7 in U.S. will face substance addiction.

 

October 21st, 2016: M Health Lab

Can Opioid Overdose Prevention Take a Lesson from Stroke Prevention?

The same approach that helps patients manage powerful blood thinners could help expand access to medication-based addiction treatment.

 

October 17th, 2016: BU today

Does Weed Help You Sleep? Probably Not

Daily marijuana users reported more sleep disturbance than those who do not use marijuana daily or at all in a study led by SPH’s Michael Stein in collaboration with Drs. Deirdre Conroy and Kirk Brower and Boston University.

 

September 2016, Volume 8, Issue 3: NIAAA Spectrum

Growing Up in a Family With Alcohol Problems: Current Research and Resources

Robert A. Zucker, Ph.D., authored an article for the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) Spectrum Webzine titled "Growing Up in a Family With Alcohol Problems: Current Research and Resources"

 

September 2016: Sports Science Institute

Sexual Violence Prevention: An Athletics Tool Kit for a Healthy and Safe Culture

Dr. Erin Bonar and Holly Rider-Milkovich, head of U-M’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, contributed to the NCAA Sport Science Institute’s publication, “Sexual Violence Prevention: An Athletics Tool Kit for a Healthy and Safe Culture”, which is a new resource for athletics administrators to use in their efforts to create campus communities free of sexual violence and safe places for students to learn and thrive

 

September 14th, 2016: CBS Detroit

U-M Researchers Looking To Recruit Tweens For Decade-Long Study

What in the world were they thinking? A new research project at the University of Michigan is looking for just that answer.

 

September 13th, 2016: Popular Science

ABCD Study Announcement in Popular Science

The NIH will track brains of 10,000 kids as they grow up. The massive brain development study will span a decade.

 

September 13th, 2016: UM Health System News

The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study Launches Today

Hundreds of Southeast Michigan tweens needed to help U-M scientists explore the developing brain.

 

August 19th, 2016: M Health Lab

Dr. Donovan Maust was featured in a blog: Despite Lack of Evidence, 10 States Allow Medical Marijuana for Alzheimer’s

Dr. Maust said, "There is limited evidence for any of the indications that states give medical marijuana certifications for, and almost none when it comes to agitation due to Alzheimer’s or other causes of dementia."

 

August 17th, 2016: Michigan Today

Treating pain without feeding addiction

People trying to overcome addiction can’t get treatment for their pain because the most powerful pain medicines also carry an addiction risk. A new study shows the potential to treat pain without the use of potentially addictive pain medication.

 

August 9th, 2016: UM Department of Psychiatry

Appointments for the leadership of the University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS)

Effective August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017, Mark Ilgen, Ph.D. is appointed Interim Director of UMATS. Erin Bonar, Ph.D. is appointed Director of Clinical Programs for UMATS

 

August 5th, 2016: Michigan Institute for Data Science

UM student group wins second place in NIDA app challenge

A group of U-M students have won second place in the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) “Addiction Research: There’s an App for That” challenge. The project was called “Substance Abuse Research Assistant (SARA).

 

July 29th, 2016: American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Agitation in Alzheimer Disease as a Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana in the United States

Currently, few applicants for medical marijuana list dementia as the reason for seeking certification. However, given increasingly open attitudes toward recreational and medical marijuana use, providers should be aware that dementia is a potential indication for licensing, despite lack of evidence for its efficacy.

 

July 27th, 2016: UMHS News

Treating pain without feeding addiction: Study shows promise of non-drug pain management

A New Approach could help confront nation’s opioid addiction

 

July 27th, 2016: M Health Lab

The ImPAT Approach: Treating Pain Without Opioids

How can doctors offer relief to recovering addicts without using painkillers? A new study suggests that a hybrid of two psychosocial approaches could offer an alternative.

 

July 27th, 2016: Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation News

Treating pain without feeding addiction: Study shows promise of non-drug pain management

It’s a Catch-22 with potentially deadly consequences: People trying to overcome addiction can’t get treatment for their pain, because the most powerful pain medicines also carry an addiction risk.

 

July 17th, 2016: The Detroit News

Study: Marijuana affects brain’s reward center

A new study put out by University of Michigan researchers suggests that over time, marijuana use dampens the response of the area of the brain that responds to rewards.

 

July 8th, 2016: M Health Lab

What Will It Take to Overcome the Opioid Epidemic?

Deaths from prescription and illicit opioid drugs have quadrupled since 1999. Dr. Amy Bohnert explains the must-do’s to stop these deaths and curb addiction nationwide.

 

July 6th, 2016: M Health Lab

Over Time, Marijuana Use Dampens Brain’s Response to Reward

A long-term study of young marijuana users shows measurable changes in the brain’s reward system, shifts that may put them at risk for addiction.

 

July 6th, 2016: Michigan News

Marijuana use dampens brain's response to reward over time

ANN ARBOR—Most people would get a little 'rush' out of the idea that they're about to win some money. In fact, if you could look into their brain at that very moment, you'd see lots of activity in the part of the brain that responds to rewards.

 

June 23rd, 2016: M Health Lab

Why U.S. Doctors Love Opioids and Hate Marijuana for Chronic Pain

The opioid epidemic is well documented, yet physicians still are wary about whether cannabinoids are better options for chronic pain. Neither is a perfect solution.