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Letter from the Director
No Tolerance for Racism. Period.
Here at the U-M Addiction Center, we are passionate supporters of the sustained efforts to end systems of systemic racism. Racial injustice and other forms of oppression must be brought to the forefront and dismantled. This is particularly important for individuals facing addiction. We remain committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion across our treatment, research, and educational missions.

For those who are experiencing issues of racial injustice while also struggling with substance use problems, please know that help is available. Visit our resource page for a list of 24/7 crisis helplines and virtual resources. Our treatment clinic is open and providing care both in person and remotely. We are offering virtual treatment sessions, recovery support, and are accepting new patients.

To anyone dealing with these difficult issues, we are with you. Your pain is heard and understood. Racial inequality, divisiveness, and discrimination should never be tolerated. To learn more, please take the time to read Tash K. Ryal’s Anti-Racism Resource Guide.

Sincerely,

Professor & Director, U-M Addiction Center
Research Highlights
Pain Management & Substance Use Disorders: Results from the ImPAT study
Mark Ilgen, Ph.D. and colleagues from the U-M Addiction Center published results of the Improving Pain During Addiction Treatment (ImPAT) trial in JAMA Psychiatry. Results included better pain tolerance in men and pain intensity in women. Read more
Addiction Center faculty Lewei (Allison) Lin, M.D., M.S., Anne Fernandez, Ph.D., and Erin Bonar, Ph.D., penned a viewpoint published in JAMA Psychiatry on telemedicine for substance use disorders. The article was highlighted in Medpage Today. Read more
What Will it Take to Stem the Tide? Understanding and Addressing the Needs of People With Addiction Involving Multiple Substances
Lewei (Allison) Lin, M.D., M.S. co authored an editorial in the Journal of Addiction Medicine on the need for targeted treatment and tailored resources for high-risk groups, rather than focusing on individual substances. Read more
Drink to Feel Better?
When feeling upset, people often reach for a drink because they believe it will help them feel better. Postdoctoral fellow Sarah Brislin, Ph.D. and colleagues from the U-M Addiction Center found that people who believed that drinking will improve their mood had weaker activation in an area in the brain that helps to regulate emotions. They also had a higher increased risk of drinking to cope. Read more
Reconsidering the Usefulness of Adding Naloxone to Buprenorphine
Jonathan Morrow, M.D., Ph.D. co-authored an opinion piece on reasons to reconsider the usefulness of adding naloxone to buprenorphine, including increased risk of overdose and mortality. Read more
View all 2020 Addiction Center publications
New Faculty Profile
Lara Coughlin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Lara Coughlin, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor at the U-M Addiction Center. Her research aims to improve access to empirically-based substance use prevention and treatments especially in hard-to-reach and underserved populations. Read more
Virtual Resources
Prioritizing Recovery During COVID-19
Jonathan Morrow, M.D., Ph.D., explains the strains that social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic place on those struggling with substance use problems, provides suggestions for getting help and prioritizing recovery during this challenging time. Watch here
Managing Alcohol and Substance Abuse During COVID-19
Listen to a podcast with Fred Blow, Ph.D. about alcohol and substance use during COVID-19, what signs to look out for regarding addiction, and how to get the help you or your loved one needs. Listen here
Virtual Substance Use & Recovery Resources
We've compiled a list of links to online support groups (AA, NA, etc.), virtual meetings, 24-hour helplines, text lines, and other important recovery and mental health resources. Learn more 
Recover Together
Google's Recover Together site offers basic information on recovery, treatment, and prevention — with links to trusted resources.

Thank you!
E-Race the Stigma
Thank you to our partners at Epic Races for supporting the U-M Addiction Center during the virtual Ann Arbor "Mile-a-Day" Marathon Challenge We appreciate all you do to help reduce stigma and promote mental health in our community. Learn more