Only 24% of individuals with alcohol dependence and only 14.7% of individuals with a substance use disorder receive professional help for their disorder. This is driven, in part, by stigma of substance use disorder. This stigma is present in three forms: stereotyping, which occurs when perceptions of substance use disorder are linked to the negative characteristics of an individual, rather than considering substance use disorder as a chronic health condition with available treatments; emotional reactions of fear or disgust toward individuals with substance use disorders, and status loss and discrimination where individuals are perceived as having less value and are treated unjustly. Our research will focus on reducing stigma of substance use disorders in our communities. We have effective prevention and treatment programs and reducing stigma has been shown to increase acceptability of prevention efforts and to improve access to treatment.

Prevention of substance use and dependence saves lives and money. Substance use disorders, using opioids not as prescribed, and drug-related overdoses can be avoided through rigorous preventions efforts. All of the community coalitions throughout the state have identified prescription painkillers as their number one priority. A focus of our research will be working with local communities and schools to test prevention efforts to reduce the development of substance use disorders and opioid-related problems.

Acknowledging that New Mexico is comprised of mostly rural communities, access to substance use treatment is severely limited in these areas. We must develop and test innovative ways of meeting the substance use treatment needs in rural communities. In addition, 76% of fatal drug overdoses among individuals released from prison and jail occur within two weeks of release. A focus of our research will be on methods of improving access to behavioral treatments and healthcare for individuals recently involved with the criminal justice system, including those released to rural communities. We must help overcome barriers identified by rural providers and families to improve access to substance use treatment for those in need.

UNM has had a long and productive history of working closely with numerous local, county and state governmental agencies in addressing the behavioral health and substance use issues of New Mexicans. We will continue to leverage these relationships to coordinate and test novel approaches to the prevention and treatment of substance use and substance use disorders.

Across academic disciplines, UNM’s technological resources are unparalleled in New Mexico.  We will leverage these to explore how prevention, and early intervention and treatment can be effectively delivered via telehealth for rural patients-in-need. We will also develop new methods for using technology to better treat substance use disorders in general medical settings, thereby reducing provider burden.

It is without controversy that the current opioid crisis was initiated by the high-volume prescription opioid prescribing habits of clinicians fueled by aggressive marketing by manufacturers and lax controls over distribution. A focus of our research will be on ways to train providers in changing opioid prescribing behaviors to improve patient safety.

The number of providers who can provide medications for opioid use disorder has increased significantly due to statewide efforts. Unfortunately, many patients still require access to these medications. A focus of our research will be on ways to increase the number of patients receiving medications for opioid use disorders.

Individuals who eventually die from an opioid-related overdose often have had several nonfatal overdoses. A focus of our research will be on testing methods for engaging individuals in treatment who have experienced a nonfatal opioid overdose.