https://sole.hsc.wvu.edu/Apps/News/rss/HealthSciences/Addressing-Addiction-50 most recent storiesen-US3ce4a545-61f7-4e28-8f6e-6f351c83486ahttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-health-affairs-white-paper-reveals-digital-tools-driving-recovery-success-in-west-virginiaA recently published paper from CHESS Health, the West Virginia University Health Affairs Institute, and the West Virginia Department of Human Services' Bureau for Behavioral Health highlights how digital health tools are improving recovery outcomes for individuals with substance use disorder across the state.Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-08-13T13:33:13-04:004a50ced8-81c1-41b9-b094-e7bef56365a9https://www.healthday.com/health-news/pulmonology/e-cigarettes-reinforce-nicotine-addiction-study-saysPod-style e-cigarettes appear to be more addictive than nicotine gum, making it harder for vapers to kick the habit, a small-scale lab study has found.Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-06-03T09:31:09-04:002586f925-4e44-4e7a-8e8e-773e1062be89https://www.siriusxm.com/clips/clip/fb85ad68-4f10-4ec5-8eaa-4bcadea02446/22bc9251-76b2-40d9-a3bd-4bb74e6616efDr. Clay Marsh speaks with Julie Mason on her SiriusXM show about the current state of overdose deaths, measles and more.Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-04-07T10:28:17-04:0083c2a835-fd72-4248-97a1-080060e1a93ehttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=video-mountaineers-makingdifference-dr-ali-rezaiDr. Ali Rezai, executive chair of the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, is part of a team of faculty members, doctors and scientists focused on groundbreaking treatments.Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -05002025-02-20T15:43:45-05:006ba7845d-e1cc-4722-b4b2-478458bf0ac7https://thedo.osteopathic.org/2024/11/addiction-in-the-lord-of-the-rings-and-the-real-world-insights-for-physicians/The DO shares information about a presention by Dr. James Berry and Lisa Coutras Terris exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and addiction.Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -05002024-11-18T12:56:12-05:00c8eb6e20-78fa-40ea-a36f-26fae48292ebhttps://wvpress.org/wvpa-sharing/gamechanger-to-team-with-wvu-marshall-to-vigorously-address-fentanyl-opioid-substance-misuse-and-vaping-in-west-virginia-schools-and-communities/A new, innovative Prevention Education Plan is coming to West Virginia Schools  and Communities courtesy of a collaboration between West Virginia University and Marshall University, GameChanger, prevention leaders, schools and local coalitions to  aid in substance use prevention efforts. Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -04002025-12-11T09:49:28-05:006d1d3d80-dad2-4da7-ae60-04b11ba51346https://www.earth.com/news/zapping-the-brain-with-ultrasound-waves-may-cure-drug-addiction/Earth.com features research conducted at the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-11-05T08:35:55-05:006a23646c-37d8-41bd-b2f3-74cd7aaf80b2https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/addiction-outlook/202408/smoking-hard-drugs-is-now-killing-many-usersDr. James Berry contributes to reporting from Psychology Today about a shift in drug overdose deaths.Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-11-05T08:36:13-05:00d49d6b53-401d-4ad1-a91c-dbc83b92feffhttps://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/addiction-treatment-ultrasound-brain-stimulation-58d6dec3The Wall Street Journal features research at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute using ultrasound to help treat addiction.Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-10-31T09:36:44-04:00b10fd326-35b3-4262-9f67-21cac1795dfchttps://www.wesa.fm/health-science-tech/2024-10-28/pittsburgh-harm-reduction-overdose-reversal-drugsDr. Judith Feinberg contributes to reporting from WESA about overdose reversal medication.Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-11-05T08:36:57-05:0036b5998d-55c1-4423-8425-31e939a8c066https://westvirginiawatch.com/2024/10/28/legislation-will-allow-wvu-researcher-to-study-buprenorphine-at-new-martinsville-clinic/West Virginia Watch reports on a buprenorphine study to be conducted by Dr. Laura Lander.Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-11-05T08:38:06-05:009c29a059-6af5-48bc-9457-5f5f476686e8https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20241023/video-frontline-expert-sees-parallels-between-medicinal-cannabis-and-opioid-epidemicWith Healio, Dr. James Berry discusses the risks associated with chronic use of cannabis.Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-10-28T10:33:13-04:007b04c66b-5b5a-40e6-b034-e9f59e0eeaa1https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/eat-sleep-console-baby-detox-opioid-withdrawal-parenting/Dr. David Baltierra contributes to reporting from KFF Health News about neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-10-28T10:33:55-04:0064a4bc0d-df42-4b2e-8913-2bd916533109https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/health/narcan-for-all-west-virginias-role-in-the-largest-free-naloxone-day/article_8b9e8b02-7a7d-11ef-8865-7f62b6847040.htmlDr. James Berry, director of addictions at the WVU School of Medicine, contributes to reporting from Charleston Gazette-Mail about Save a Life Day. Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-09-30T08:33:48-04:00f13104f7-cfaa-4522-9247-52ce5c4da153https://www.monchd.org/newsroom/monongalia-county-qrt-s-free-naloxone-day-will-be-bigger-and-betterThe Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT) has been holding Free Naloxone Day events for three years now, and the one taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, promises to be bigger and better. As in previous years, this year's event will include stations on the WVU campus.Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-09-20T16:36:40-04:00b533e7d3-180a-4c15-b1de-249da3c3ea8ahttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=rtns-featured-in-wchs-story-about-substance-use-prevention-efforts-instateRTNS principal investigator Sam Wilkinson was interviewed for a feature on substance use prevention efforts in the state amidst opioid fund dispersement. Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-09-25T10:53:42-04:004db01382-c8a6-4291-8ce3-07ee06269d32https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2024/09/12/wvu-ascend-wv-assist-opioid-response-efforts-led-by-west-virginia-first-foundationWest Virginia University and Ascend WV — the nation's premier talent attraction and retention program supported by the WVU Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative — have joined forces to support the fight against the opioid epidemic in West Virginia.Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-09-17T09:24:07-04:001538d435-1d12-4fa4-9080-91a98e1e8538https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-school-of-nursing-student-researches-substance-abuse-solutionsGwendolyn Arnold, a senior at the WVU School of Nursing, took notice to the lack of education around drug misuse in West Virginia, and decided she needed to do something about it.Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-08-27T11:57:15-04:00975b7534-fd8b-4acf-9352-e68ed1953f9ahttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=lander-appointed-to-expert-panel-for-wv-first-foundationLaura Lander, MSW, AADC, an associate professor in the West Virginia University School of Medicine's Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience, was recently appointed to the statewide expert panel of the West Virginia First Foundation.Wed, 21 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-08-21T11:45:01-04:0066a64b76-c34e-4cad-8c38-60fab23f3bd2https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-medicine-children-s-and-impact-wv-open-new-clinic-to-help-families-with-infants-diagnosed-with-nsomenagaeWVU Medicine Children's and the IMPACT WV program have partnered to open a new follow-up clinic for infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and their families. A multi-disciplinary team offers assessments and guidance to participants.Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-08-08T13:07:11-04:000d41d838-9734-4c40-8830-d13d6db907b3https://westvirginiawatch.com/2024/07/12/mental-health-addiction-drive-homelessness-in-west-virginia-study-finds/West Virginia Watch reports on a study completed by the WVU Health Affairs Institute.Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-07-15T12:01:15-04:00b69f3b65-99c7-4aef-889f-8f480567c15ehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/addiction-outlook/202406/fentanyl-overdoses-may-cause-brain-injuryDr. James Mahoney, associate professor in the WVU School of Medicine, contributes to reporting by Psychology Today about fentanyl overdoses.Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-07-01T10:13:25-04:005b39cedf-94d6-448c-9086-92f28212cebdhttps://enews.wvu.edu/articles/2024/05/07/ultrasound-technology-is-used-in-many-ways-addiction-is-the-next-frontierIn The Washington Post, Dr. Ali Rezai and other University researchers describe research at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute focused on treating addiction with ultrasounds.Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-05-07T09:32:41-04:00e0fe1660-a919-4612-be3f-743ba5472a8chttps://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2024/04/10/wvu-collegiate-recovery-crafts-community-along-the-recovery-pathOffering ways for West Virginia University students to find support by forging connections with others, the Collegiate Recovery Program serves the University's mission of putting students first — no matter the challenges they're facing. Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-04-10T13:19:47-04:00f2e94924-f5d3-4aa6-8616-b6ed5671843dhttps://healthaffairsinstitute.org/the-opposite-of-addiction-is-connection-wvu-health-affairs-institute-project-strengthens-relationships-among-substance-use-disorder-social-service-providers/According to the 2023 Medicaid and CHIP (MAC) Scorecard, West Virginia is currently one of four states leading the nation in helping individuals initiate and engage in treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), including alcohol, opioid, and other drug abuse or dependence.Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-04-05T09:15:18-04:00df339a92-c3c1-4e16-a122-f47770eaa490https://www.wvuf.org/news-publications/news/2024/03/25/-2m-encova-grant-aids-focused-ultrasound-research-at-wvu-rockefeller-neuroscience-instituteA $2 million grant from the Encova Foundation of West Virginia is advancing focused ultrasound research by the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute with the potential to transform addiction treatment.Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-03-25T15:16:22-04:0058e3cdf3-6e05-40b8-ace3-11aebca5325bhttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=interprofessional-education-week-to-offer-wvu-community-cross-discipline-learning-opportunitiesThe West Virginia University Health Sciences Office of Interprofessional Education will celebrate and share the importance of healthcare professionals practicing and promoting an interprofessional collaborative approach to person-centered care during a series of events April 8-11.Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-04-01T15:08:16-04:003c2ea488-093a-44a3-b806-cac6b4cff326https://www.drugtopics.com/view/how-emotional-intelligence-helps-pharmacists-handle-controlled-substances-concernsMark Garofoli, PharmD, director of experiential learning in the WVU School of Pharmacy, contributes to reporting from Drug Topics about responsibly prescribing and dispensing controlled substances.Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-04-01T09:57:43-04:00ccd853c1-31ef-4aa9-900a-96fa57550f2chttps://www.specialtypharmacycontinuum.com/Online-First/Article/03-24/Government-Makes-Pandemic-Era-Flexibilities-on-Remote-MOUD-Prescribing-Permanent/73232Dr. James Berry, chair of the WVU School of Medicine Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, contributes reporting from Specialty Pharmacy Continuum about updated regulations governing opioid treatment programs.Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-04-01T12:03:57-04:003ecf4396-8f24-4bb0-b756-d6fef8cdedc6https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/next-gen-smart-pills-will-transform-personalized-care-2024a10004tm?src=&form=fpfJames Mahoney, associate professor and clinical neuropsychologist in the WVU School of Medicine, contributes reporting from Medscape about using smart pill technology to help identify early indications of an overdose. Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-03-18T13:20:51-04:002f049416-638c-4fa8-b959-e149e6933b12https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/west-virginia-opioid-overdoses-fourth-wave/Robin Pollini, professor in the WVU School of Medicine and WVU School of Public Health, contributes reporting from KFF Health News about the opioid epidemic.Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-03-16T19:40:14-04:00bec28667-659b-4ac2-9f2b-01319984bc52https://theconversation.com/hundreds-of-thousands-of-us-infants-every-year-pay-the-consequences-of-prenatal-exposure-to-drugs-a-growing-crisis-particularly-in-rural-america-217360?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Newsletter%20%20February%2027%202024%20-%202890829352&utm_content=Daily%20Newsletter%20%20February%2027%202024%20-%202890829352+CID_0866976e19eb11e98ce9cf44af0bfd8e&utm_source=campaign_monitor_us&utm_term=changing%20landscape%20of%20substance%20use%20during%20pregnancyIn this article with The Conversation, Dr. Amna Umer discusses the consequences of prenatal exposure to drugs, a growing crisis particularly in rural America. Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -05002024-02-27T16:29:43-05:002969896e-1ccf-4210-978f-d131928cdccchttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=impact-wv-program-offers-direct-aid-for-familiesThe IMPACT WV program is offering direct services aid for families and mothers with a child exposed to substances in utero.Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -05002024-02-27T12:05:56-05:000cddf157-1751-4af3-916d-eef623606a1chttps://www.cnn.com/2024/02/21/health/us-adults-overdose-survey/index.htmlIn reporting from CNN, WVU School of Medicine and School of Public Health Professor Robin Pollini describes the "collective trauma" overdose deaths cause.Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -05002024-02-22T12:44:05-05:0068207cc8-87e3-47c8-839e-ebd41a7861bahttps://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2024/02/05/dental-pain-guidelines-ada/stories/202402050047Dr. Michael Reynolds, an addiction medicine fellow in the WVU School of Medicine, contributes to reporting from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about American Dental Association pain management guidelines.Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -05002024-02-12T09:51:23-05:001a298e10-0e7f-4259-8db9-1370d9ef22eehttps://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=faith-community-nurse-training-allows-public-health-nurse-to-expand-healthcare-outreachKassie Swecker, a WVU School of Nursing-trained Faith Community Nurse, has been working to improve the health in her local church and community. Fri, 19 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -05002024-01-22T10:11:46-05:002ebac714-c416-436f-b936-599398873265https://www.cbsnews.com/news/neurosurgeon-works-to-slow-alzheimers-progression-treat-drug-addiction-60-minutes-transcript/Two segments on "60 Minutes" focus on a cutting-edge approach to brain surgery — with no cutting — being developed at the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.Sun, 14 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -05002024-01-16T13:50:27-05:00a71d0a2a-8113-4e79-9eb4-379927b8bde8https://mediacollegemag.wvu.edu/departments/for-the-social-good/reporting-on-and-changing-the-stigma-of-addictionAshton Marra remembers a specific story that National Public Radio published in 2020 about the opioid crisis in West Virginia.Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-12-19T12:49:06-05:00a8d24c7f-9bd7-498e-9bf9-630786fdc829https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-physical-therapists-prepare-students-to-fightopioid-epidemic-in-rural-communitiessomeducatesomempowersomkindWest Virginia University School of Medicine Physical Therapy faculty have developed a new curriculum that prepares physical therapy students to educate rural communities on opioid use prevention.Thu, 30 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-12-18T16:09:28-05:0083de1ba2-761d-4014-ada4-3caa0837977dhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/magic-pills-are-coming-healthcare-cost-parkinsons-cancer-addiction-depression-e3c392fa?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalinkThe WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute is featured in an article from The Wall Street Journal about wearable ultrasound machines and other inventions that could reduce medical costs.Sun, 26 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-11-27T13:26:09-05:008bb2d4ac-4027-465f-9060-9a386f4c20e9https://wvumedicine.org/news/article/early-wvu-research-shows-ingestible-smart-pill-may-detect-signs-of-overdose/somdiscoverIn a potential breakthrough for those suffering with opioid use disorder (OUD), the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) announced a first-in-human study using an innovative smart pill technology to measure and monitor vital signs that can help identify early indications of an overdose.Mon, 20 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-11-20T16:11:34-05:003ee520b1-e34a-41aa-a26f-a60fb50aaa4ahttps://wvutoday.wvu.edu/resources/pill-monitoringsomdiscoverA first-in-human study involving the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute uses innovative smart pill technology to measure and monitor vital signs that can help identify early signs of a drug overdose, a potential breakthrough for people with opioid use disorder.Mon, 20 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-12-18T16:03:54-05:00e709484a-4c66-4bdb-957c-1a077badcb5bhttps://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2023/11/17/new-majors-medical-breakthrough-signal-success-for-wvusomeducateRecent WVU successes — in Morgantown and beyond — were highlighted during the Nov. 17 meeting of the University's Board of Governors.Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-12-18T16:01:12-05:00ae4360be-43a3-4b63-99a2-83beda479159https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-nursing-faculty-presents-poster-during-sud-conferencefacultynewsDuring the conference "Building a Healthier Appalachia: Collaborative Solutions to Substance Use Disorders Across the Region," WVU School of Nursing faculty member Dr. Kendra Barker presented a poster focused on how advanced practice nurses can help patients with substance use disorder.Thu, 16 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -05002024-04-09T16:04:09-04:00b30f8757-25be-454f-8bb9-f9a5d0da84d6https://essentialhospitals.org/epicenter-opioid-crisis-wvu-medicine-blazes-trailsomhealWhen James Berry, DO, director of addictions at association member WVU Medicine's Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, in Morgantown, W.Va., first joined the health system in 2002, he had no idea the state was on the brink of becoming a national epicenter for opioid use disorder (OUD).Thu, 26 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -04002023-12-18T15:11:44-05:0084516290-15a4-4b15-bc8f-ceaa5c82f596https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-nursing-advisors-offer-support-resources-for-students-impacted-by-sudResources and support networks are oftentimes shared with students struggling with substance use disorder themselves, but the WVU School of Nursing advising team realized there was a population of students oftentimes falling through the cracks — students with loved ones suffering from SUD.Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -04002023-10-09T14:35:08-04:00d9fa6ec3-a84f-46b9-9feb-50982df6ffb9https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20230922/alcohols-allure-real-and-risky?src=RSS_PUBLICsomdiscoverDr. Daniel Farmer tells WebMD "learned hopelessness" is a common thread among many people with severe alcohol use disorder.Mon, 25 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -04002023-09-28T15:48:20-04:00f5214cc3-5868-4ce8-8396-66bc1731dfc7https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct4wdfsomempowerFor the BBC's "The Inquiry," Dr. Judith Feinberg explains how drug overdoses affect life expectancy in the United States.Thu, 21 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -04002023-09-28T16:12:17-04:0056f2f8ac-3c49-4241-8365-660f9f146973https://westvirginiawatch.com/2023/09/20/narcan-is-now-available-over-the-counter-but-its-price-may-be-a-barrier-to-access-in-wv/This month, for the first time, a version of the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone is available over the counter in retail stores across the country.Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -04002023-09-25T13:15:46-04:006fed60c3-2428-4524-a6e9-98d2c3bd4d67https://wvpublic.org/program-helping-babies-mothers-with-opioid-dependence-receives-more-funding/To counter the problem, the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities received $1.5 million from the US Department of Health and Human Services to implement services for mothers and babies facing opioid dependence. The money will extend the five-year-old program another three years. Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -04002023-09-20T13:51:26-04:00