Research Priorities - Substance Use Disorder
  • Article
  • Nov 11 2020

Wasp dope is a crystalline substance created by electrifying pyrethroid-containing substances – such as wasp sprays – that may give users a methamphetamine-like “rush.” Recent reports have highlighted the emergence of this new drug as an issue of concern, research into the substance is so far lacking.

  • Article
  • Oct 27 2020

To curb overdose deaths, ease the financial burden on health care, and improve patient outcomes, the researchers worked with patients who need tools for recovery from opioid use disorder, such as mental health therapists, relapse-prevention services, and necessary medications.  

  • Article
  • Sep 28 2020

Two University of Kentucky faculty will be featured in an upcoming episode of “Your Fantastic Mind,” an Emmy-nominated television series featuring compelling stories on brain-related health and wellness.

  • Article
  • Sep 24 2020

“It’s difficult for people who use drugs to be open about [their drug use] because of the stigma it carries and the potential of criminal justice involvement,” Young said. “We tried to create a welcoming environment in our field office, and we put ourselves out there.”

  • Article
  • Sep 8 2020

The funding will further ongoing substance use disorder treatment research in collaboration with Sharon Walsh at the UK Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR) and Mei-Chuan Ko at the Wake Forest School of Medicine.

  • Article
  • Aug 20 2020

The team suggests a number of changes to help rebuild trust and reduce stigma for opioid use disorder in rural communities; they also suggest that wholesalers change algorithms to track buprenorphine separately from other opioids.

  • Article
  • May 14 2020

The ambitious study is organized into six phases, beginning with the basic preparations and leading into actual implementation and monitoring of various evidence-based strategies to reduce opioid deaths.

  • Article
  • Apr 29 2020

A new study led by UK researcher April Young and Emory researcher Hannah Cooper shows that a number of pharmacies in the Appalachian region of Kentucky are limiting the dispensing of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD).

  • Article
  • Mar 5 2020

"It's a wonderful showcase of the breadth and depth of our research." Substance Use Research Day highlights the impactful work of UK faculty, staff and students.

  • Video
  • Jan 24 2020

The HEALing Communities Initiative grant from the National Institutes of Health totals $87 million, the largest in its history, and is focused over the next three years on reducing opioid-related deaths by 40 percent in 16 counties in KY.