Updates

In collaboration with schools, community members, and tobacco and substance use disorder treatment specialists in rural areas, we are developing educational programs and resources to address e-cigarette use (also called vaping) among adolescents. The program focuses on supporting teens in quitting e-cigarettes and supporting health care providers through a credit-bearing educational program.

For the Growing Resilience initiative, we are partnering with rural communities to develop trauma-informed approaches to support SUD prevention for rural youth. Learning from schools, health care providers, social service agencies, and others working with young people, we are collaborating on relevant evidence-based interventions to address the impact of trauma and reduce the risk of developing SUD.

Jake’s years in recovery have been the best in his life. He encourages health care providers to take a moment for a conversation and to offer recovery resources to patients with SUD. He suggests, “speak plainly, but speak with heart.”

Javier cares for his children and works at an HVAC company. An ED doctor helped him connect with an outpatient program and start his recovery. He had “been stigmatized before,” he says, but he did call the program “because it really showed me that somebody cared.”

Jade Malcho, MD, an emergency physician certified in addiction medicine, expresses the opportunity to make a difference.

Patrick, a construction worker who is 8 years in recovery, was highly stigmatized in the ED until a welcoming encounter with an ED provider who showed genuine interest in him.

Stephanie, a mother and homeowner who is 6 years in recovery, shares her experiences and achievements.