Blog

The Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, with generous support from the Sandgaard Foundation, will host “Finding Solutions to the Opioid Crisis,” a free web-based speaker series launching in late June 2021. The series will bring together a diverse line-up of experts from across the United States to discuss priority issues in addiction treatment and recovery. The first event in this series, “Principles for the Use of Funds from the Opioid Litigation” will be held on June 29, 2021 from 12 – 1:30 p.m, with guest speaker, Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement, Director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, and...Read More

It’s been a busy few months in the world of addiction recovery advocacy. In April, the Biden administration laid out their first year priorities for recovery. The statement acknowledges the wide impact of the overdose and addiction epidemic, and how COVID-19 has exacerbated the effects. The White House designated addressing the epidemic as an urgent priority for Biden’s administration. In March, the President signed into law the American Rescue Plan, which appropriated nearly $4 billion to enable the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Resources and Services Administration to expand access to vital behavioral health services....Read More

I’m excited to share with you today that Mobilize Recovery 2021 is now live and accepting applications! Please visit mobilizerecovery.org today to learn more and apply!   This year’s Mobilize Recovery will be hosted online and in-person at the Westgate Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV from September 24-27, 2021. Apply today to attend this year’s event and select your preference to join online or in-person. The application process will only remain open until June 11, 2021 — so please don’t wait! Now more than ever, the addiction & mental health recovery community needs to come together—creating connection and community at...Read More

The latest numbers surpass even the yearly tolls during the height of the opioid epidemic and mark a reversal of progress against addiction in recent years. WASHINGTON — More than 87,000 Americans died of drug overdoses over the 12-month period that ended in September, according to preliminary federal data, eclipsing the toll from any year since the opioid epidemic began in the 1990s. The surge represents an increasingly urgent public health crisis, one that has drawn less attention and fewer resources while the nation has battled the coronavirus pandemic. Deaths from overdoses started rising again in the months leading up...Read More

The Voices Project is proud to announce that Mobilize Recovery will be returning in Fall 2021. Details regarding applications, timeline, and ways to participate will be announced later in Spring 2021. Sign up today to be the first to know when details are available by registering at mobilizerecovery.org. In addition to our 2021 partners already announced, including the Sandgaard Foundation, the Mobilize Recovery team is excited and grateful that Serve You Rx will be joining us as a presenting partner for the third year in a row! Without the support of Serve You Rx and their CEO—Sharon Murillo—Mobilize would never...Read More

Foundations commit to lifting up voices of people in recovery and those impacted by addiction; support ongoing efforts for overdose response initiatives; and empower community-based solutions. The Voices Project and Sandgaard Foundation to End the Opioid Crisis today announced a major partnership to continue their not-for-profit work together in addressing America’s long-standing addiction and overdose crisis. Together, the organizations commit to increasing access of naloxone and overdose response trainings in recovery residences (also known as sober livings) across the United States; support bold media efforts to eliminate stigma for those impacted by substance use disorder; and empower people in recovery with organizing and...Read More

The ongoing 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted care provision for patients with pain disorders, as well as those with opioid use disorder. As a result, public health experts have voiced concern that the COVID-19 pandemic may worsen the opioid crisis in the United States, and the populations affected most seriously by both crises may overlap significantly.1-3 For patients receiving treatment for addiction, access to support systems, clean needles, methadone provision, and psychiatric care may be seriously interrupted or shifted to virtual platforms.1 Furthermore, the risk of overdose may be increased during prolonged periods of heightened anxiety and isolation from...Read More

The people directly affected by conditions like substance use disorder should be involved at the state and federal levels in developing policies. Starting Jan. 20, the Biden administration will be responsible for addressing three major public health crises: the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 330,000 Americans and infected more than 17 million; the mental health crisis, which the pandemic has exacerbated to the point that 40% of U.S. residents now report struggling with mental or behavioral health issues; and the drug overdose crisis, with 81,000 deaths in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest ever recorded in a year-long period. Drug overdoses don’t happen because a...Read More

The festive season has been dubbed “the most wonderful time of the year”, but for those in and seeking recovery, it can sometimes be especially hard. It is possible to have an enjoyable time while embracing a life of recovery. Take the opportunity to celebrate not only the holiday, but also your recovery, which is something to be proud of. Plan each and every day of your holiday season Make a six-week plan to get you through the holiday period. Organize your events and plan to spend time with friends and family who are supportive of your recovery. Be realistic...Read More

Oregon will become the first state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs, including heroin and cocaine. Voters on Tuesday passed Measure 110, which also expands addiction services using the state’s marijuana tax revenue. “I think Oregonians made it clear that they support a more humane, effective approach to drug addiction,” Anthony Johnson, one of the measure’s chief petitioners, said Tuesday night. “We took a huge step for funding more treatment and recovery services, and for ending racist drug war policies.” Proponents said drug addiction is currently treated as a crime, not as a health disorder. With the removal of punishments for nonviolent drug offenses and...Read More