In the News
University of Michigan researchers from a wide range of disciplines are working together to formulate and answer critical questions about opioids. These collaborative efforts have placed U-M at the forefront of opioid research.
U-M piloting statewide smartphone incentive program for residents with substance use disorders
The University of Michigan is launching a statewide pilot program that will use smartphones in the care of individuals living with substance use disorders by rewarding positive behaviors—like taking medication or engaging in treatment—with money, gift cards and...
ORI is hiring!
The Opioid Research Institute (ORI), housed at the University of Michigan, is seeking a detail-oriented self-starter to join the team in the role of Data Analyst. Strong analytic, organizational, and verbal and written communication skills are critical to this role....
MDHHS We Treat Hep C Clinician newsletter: FDA approves first point-of-care Hepatitis C RNA test
In June 2024, the Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of the first point-of-care hepatitis C RNA test. The test will allow settings operating under a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Waiver to perform point-of-care hepatitis C RNA...
ORI Partners with National Student Overdose Prevention Group
In an effort to increase community engagement across the three U-M campuses, ORI is building partnerships with student groups involved in opioid-related awareness. The most recent partner is Team Awareness Combatting Overdose (TACO) at the University of Michigan. TACO...
Media Mention: The solution to death from a fentanyl overdose could lie in its chemical structure
Over the past few decades, the opioid epidemic has gripped the United States, fueled in large part by the over-prescription of pain relieving drugs like oxycodone. As those pharmaceuticals were made more difficult to obtain, opioids such as heroin and fentanyl began...
The Lookout Project: A Student-Run Mail-Based Overdose Response Kit Distribution Program Through Social Media During COVID-19
Institute student group partner, The Lookout Project (TLP), recently published a research paper describing the development and evaluation of the program. TLP is a 501(c)(3) organization led by college students and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the study sought to...
U-M awarded $3.6M to study post-surgery pain management for individuals with opioid use disorder
The University of Michigan will use a new $3.6 million federal grant to study how pain and opioids after surgery impact people with opioid use disorder, how guidelines might be adjusted to address post-surgical pain and how to prevent opioid-related harms. The...
New insights on persistent opioid use after surgery and genetic associations to opioid use disorder.
Persistent opioid use after surgery is a common morbidity outcome associated with subsequent opioid use disorder, overdose, and death. While phenotypic associations have been described in previous research publications, genetic associations have remained unidentified....
Faculty Feature: Dr. Mark Bicket Named ASRA Pain Medicine Presidential Scholar
Mark Bicket, MD, PhD, FASA, will receive the ASRA Pain Medicine Presidential Scholar Award at the 23rd Annual Pain Medicine Meeting being held November 21-23, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV. The award is given biannually to recognize outstanding scientific and sustained...
Opioid Research Institute hosts overdose training for U-M Dental Students
The University of Michigan Opioid Research Institute recently hosted a lunch and learn for U-M dental students, providing overdose education and Naloxone training. Attendees were also provided with Naloxone kits to take with them.