Main Challenge
Addiction to alcohol and prescription and non-prescription drugs robs millions of individuals and their families of their most productive years. Increased access to effective behavioral health care leads to earlier diagnosis, improved adherence to evidenced-based treatment, better patient outcomes and increased productivity.
Our Approach
- We create new, more effective
treatments and interventions. Areas
of excellence include college and early age drinking, treatment trials for
substance use disorders, integrated models of addiction and co-occurring mental
illnesses, opioid and other medication-assisted treatment, and studies in the
neuroscience of addictions. - We offer excellent training
opportunities and foster a pipeline of top-notch fellows. Our addictions program is consistently ranked among
the top 10 in the country. - We contribute to state and
national issues related to opioid addiction and overdoses.
Addiction Symposium
On September 30, 2024, the department hosted Innovations in Addressing Substance Use and Addiction, a full-day event to showcase the department’s efforts to tackle our region’s challenges with addiction and substance use disorders. More than 200 attendees interacted with addiction researchers, educators, and clinicians during a day of events including a panel discussion with local policy makers, interactive booths, and an afternoon of roundtable workshops. Our department features two pioneers in the field of addiction treatment, Rick Ries, MD and Andy Saxon, MD, who are both retiring in 2024 so to honor these trailblazing members of our community, an appreciation video was produced and shown during the event. For more information, please browse through our portfolio which highlights the many programs, projects, and people who are working to improve the lives of individuals and families who are dealing with addiction.
