Blog

BTRR 2023 Highlights Video

In 2023, the ARI provided affiliate organizations the funds to help put on successful Big Texas Rally for Recovery rallies across Texas. In our new highlight video, created by ARI’s Bill Hamblen, we showcase the rallies along with facts and figures generated from each rally.

New Article Published by ARI Researchers

Read the new article published by the ARI team, Dr. Kasey Claborn, Dr. Fiona Conway, and Doctoral Student, Jake Samora along with the University of Alabama Doctoral Student, Haelin Jeong.

New Article from ARI and SHSSW Researchers on Harm Reduction Interventions

Read the new article published by the ARI team, 3rd-year Doctoral Student Katie McCormick, 1st-year doctoral student Jake Samora, ARI’s Director Dr. Kasey Claborn, ARI’s Associate Director of Education and Training Dr. Lori Holleran-Steiker, and Steve Hicks School of Social Work Dr. Diana DiNitto.

New Study from ARI Seeking Participants

The research team that developed TxCOPE at The University of Texas at Austin is seeking participants for a research project focusing on supporting the well-being of outreach workers providing substance use services.

ARI to Host “Storytelling Together for Social Change” Event – Bringing in Large Crowd to Learn from Changemakers

On February 1st, 2024 the Addiction Research Institute will host their first ever “Storytelling Together for Social Change” event bringing together storytellings and changemakers from across Texas and Arizona to connect and learn from each other.

Big Texas Rally for Recovery 2023 Impact Report

In 2023, the University of Texas Addiction Research Institute (ARI) coordinated BTRR events and distributed HHS funds to support local rallies. ARI developed an application process for BTRR Affiliate Organizations to recruit partners from local substance use and mental health recovery communities to be a part of the statewide BTRR planning committee and to host local rallies for recovery. ARI facilitated affiliate planning meetings to share resources and lessons learned along the way.

New Resource from South Southwest ATTC

The purpose of the listening sessions was to gather information from family members and loved ones of people with substance use challenges to better understand family members’ experiences supporting and seeking support for their loved one who is using substances; to ask what questions family members have about supporting their loved one who is using substances; to ask who or what is providing support for family members; and the unmet needs for support for family members.

ARI End-Of-Year Highlights

In our 2023 recap, we want to acknowledge all of those we work with every day to help make the Addiction Research Institute possible. We thank everyone for believing in our mission to generate system change, along the addiction recovery continuum, through innovative research, education and training, advocacy, and partnerships.

Leaving a Legacy of Love – Dr. Lori Holleran Steiker

Dr. Lori Holleran Steiker is one of the most well-known social workers in Texas. In 2023, she received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from RecoveryPeople, a charitable nonprofit with a long-standing history in Texas for its work with people in recovery.

Apply to be a Big Texas Rally for Recovery Affiliate Organization Today!

Applications are open to become a 2024 BTRR Affiliate Organization.
Applications are due by January 25th, 2024.

New Study from TxCOPE funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse

The TxCOPE team was recently funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse to adapt and test Stress First Aid to the needs of Harm Reduction Workers in substance misuse settings. The idea for this study came directly from our community-based partners through our TxCOPE community-engaged research. 

ARI to begin first Big Texas Rally for Recovery Informational Session 

On December 11th, 2023, ARI will be hosting our first 2024 Big Texas Rally for Recovery Informational Session. We’re inviting all interested organizations who wish to hold rallies across Texas for their communities to join us for this informational session to learn more about the application process, selection, and deadlines.

Building Capacity: NTBHA Program Manager on Leadership, Overdose Tracking and Community Recovery 

Leading a team of Community Health Workers in one of the most populated cities in the U.S. while implementing a new overdose tracking tool may be daunting, but Kevin Fox, Program Manager at the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) is taking on these challenges and thriving.  

NTBHA partners with ARI to utilize TxCOPE Data Collection Software

The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) is responding to the need for accurate data collection on overdose through a partnership with Texas Connecting Overdose Prevention Efforts (TxCOPE), an initiative led by the Addiction Research Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

ARI Associate Director Featured in National Campaign, ‘Start with Hope’

ARI’s Associate Director of Policy and Community Impact, Ariel ‘Air’ Britt, MSW was recently featured in a national campaign. Check out her PSA below and read the Press Release.

Red Ribbon Week – Helping Youth Live Drug-Free 

October marks the start of National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month and it also includes the celebration of Red Ribbon Week, a national campaign started in the late 1980s to raise awareness about drug use, especially with children.  

New Research Study from ARI Director – PREP Interests, Barriers, and Interventions

A new study, co-written by ARI Director, Dr. Kasey Claborn explores how PREP — Pre-exposure prophylaxis — can be used to help contracting HIV. In their findings, Dr. Claborn et al find that PreP adoption among women is low.

Prevention Month: Where We Are and What We Can Do

October is National Substance Misuse Prevention Month and National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month.

Q + A with Monica Hernandez Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer of Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas

Meet Monica Hernandez Sanchez – a leading advocate for increasing access to behavioral health services in South Texas.

Behavioral Health Solutions utilizes TxCOPE program to respond to the Texas overdose crisis

Press Release on the new partnership between BHSST and TxCOPE.

September Awards and Recognitions

Read about the awards and recognition ARI staff received in September.

TxCOPE in the News – Dallas Morning News Fentanyl Series

In a new feature from The Dallas Morning News, TxCOPE’s lead researcher Dr. Kasey Claborn was quoted in her efforts to help bring TxCOPE’s mission across Texas, serving as a front-runner in overdose data tracking which helps overdose prevention agencies report and track overdoses in their community.

Reigniting the Flame

From June 27th – 29th the University of Texas Addiction Research Institute and Achara Consulting held the ‘Transforming Minds, Inspiring Hope, and Changing the Narrative: The Art of Healing Through Peer Support conference with sponsorship from the Texas Health and Human Services. 

Texas Legislative Bills Taking Effect September 1st

ARI’s Policy and Engagement team have spent the past year focusing on advocating for policy change during Texas’ 88th legislative session. Research Associate for Policy and Community Engagement at TxCOPE, Mina Chitti, gives us a rundown of the House and Senate bills that were passed and are taking effect September 1st.

ARI in the News – Axios Austin 

Our Associate Director of Policy and Community Impact, Air Britt was recently interviewed for her insight into the rising fentanyl deaths in Travis County.  Check out the news story from Axios Austin, published August 22nd.

September is almost here which means it’s time to celebrate National Recovery Month! 

Recovery Month hosts events across the nation including SAMSHA’s Rally for Recovery held in Region 6’s Oklahoma! Find events near you and around the country.

Big Texas Rally for Recovery Announces Affiliate Organizations

ARI collaborates with the Texas recovery community to coordinate the annual Big Texas Recovery Rally. The 2023 Big Texas Rally for Recovery will be hosted in multiple local communities across the state in the month of September.

SAMSHA’s new Harm Reduction Framework is available for public comment

The SAMHSA Harm Reduction Framework is the first document to comprehensively outline harm reduction and its role within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Framework will inform SAMHSA’s harm reduction activities moving forward, as well as related policies, programs, and practices. 

Texas policy updates; fentanyl abuse prevention passed, decriminalization of fentanyl strips failed

The 88th regular session of the Texas legislature concluded on May 29, 2023. Over a thousand bills related to substance use were filed during the session, concerning topics ranging from fentanyl test strips to recovery housing, fentanyl education, and Medicaid reimbursements.

Tips to Beat the Texas Heat

Check out ways to help both you and your fur babies beat the Texas heat this summer!

New paper published by ARI associates, leadership and community professionals

On June 9th, the Harm Reduction Journal published a new paper from various TxCOPE researchers along with addiction professionals on best practices in harm reduction.

ARI’s James Green selected as 2023 President’s Outstanding Staff Recipient

Read more about Green’s award and his experience at ARI.

CLEAN Cause Foundation and UT Steve Hicks School of Social Work Awarded Grant from FIRST Fund

Read more about the grant and Dr. Fiona Conway’s work.