CESAR Research

The Center for Substance Use, Addiction & Health Research (CESAR), University of Maryland, College Park

[Global Mental Health and Addiction Program (GMAP) @GMAP_umd]

Chiara Sforza presented her independent research at SBM2026. Her findings: As problems w/socially responsible alcohol use increased, self-reporting of antiretroviral therapy adherence decreased, suggesting new approaches to HIV treatment & substance use.
https://t.co/yJEQ503hTU

[Global Mental Health and Addiction Program (GMAP) @GMAP_umd]

Jessica Anane presented her dissertation findings at SBM2026. HEAL outcomes: How neighborhood stressors–built environment characteristics, economic challenges, physical & social neighborhood disorder–contribute to methadone treatment engagement among people w/opioid use disorder.

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

Morgan Anvari has received two awards: A NIDA R36 dissertation grant for RAISE, that addresses internalized stigma/shame around a person's substance use & treatment history; & UMD’s James W. Longest Memorial Award supporting doctoral dissertation research.
https://t.co/2pAIJyQX0W

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

JOB OPENING: Faculty Specialist, in support of research projects. Work includes assisting with IRB submissions and study protocols, data management and other data analysis, QA, overseeing follow-up, retention and compliance rates. Details:
https://t.co/Ovn9Bm4r7D

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

How do you get effective help to people with mental health and substance use problems? Globally and locally, you take it to the community level with peers--people who have been there, done that, and are trained & certified to support people along the way.
https://t.co/sJszpb556T

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

The Equal Dose podcast interviews Dr. Sarah Kattakuzhy & Dwayne Dean about their work in rural Maryland, from patient-engaged research on polysubstance use, to the ways peers support people in recovery amid the particular challenges of rural locations.

https://t.co/zZn2OQl97S

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

EDDS dashboards for 27 hospitals updated thru 12/24, including trends in positive drug screens & polysubstance exposure. For example, 3 of 4 Scripps hospitals show fentanyl at or near series lows.
https://t.co/jRIPXw8Dql

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

It is #GIVINGDAYUMD, a 24-hour fundraising event with a simple goal: engage our community to raise critical funding. CESAR’s action oriented projects--drug monitoring, recovery-to-work & peer support--are all grant-supported. See how you can contribute: https://t.co/Lir4QvS7Xq

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

#GivingDayUMD is nearly here. On March 5th you can make a difference in CESAR’s research addressing the behavioral health problems of substance use disorders (SUD), and informing policymakers, practitioners, and the general public about SUD.
https://t.co/Lir4QvS7Xq

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

The Equal Dose podcast interviews CESAR’s Dr. Eric Wish and Erin Artigiani on the EDDS analyses of data from participating hospital EDs, what is learned, use by public health, and how the results can impact public policy. (Beg 25:10)

https://t.co/sGH9gjw1fO

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

CESAR’s Maryland EDDS project featured on WBAL-TV. Three members of the EDDS team--Dr. Eric Wish, Erin Artigiani & Amy Billing--talk about detailed drug testing, state drug use trends & the value of urinalysis in understanding what a user was exposed to.

https://t.co/fgvwhHInLS

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

Should drug use self-reports be the only measure of drug exposure in clinical trials? Study revealed using self-reports alone led to different results than urinalysis. Trials should use both self-reports & toxicologic tests to measure drug use or exposure.
https://t.co/PeBImn0MeO

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

CESAR, together w/the UMB Medical School and Henry  Ford Health System, have received over $6 Million in grants from NIH/NIDA. The two studies look at 1) peer-delivered SUD programs; and 2) depression as a common co-existing condition for people w/SUD.
https://t.co/o8PXK3084b

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

Kudos to our GMAP student colleague on her blue ribbon award for her poster: "Polysubstance Use and Methadone Adherence Among Racially Minoritized Patients Initiating Treatment"

[Global Mental Health and Addiction Program (GMAP) @GMAP_umd]

Jessica Anane, GMAP's Public Health graduate student, received one of the highest average scores from Division 50's collective reviewers for her APA conference poster:

"Polysubstance Use and Methadone Adherence Among Racially Minoritized Patients Initiating Treatment"

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

CBP officers in Arizona seize more than half a ton of #fentanyl --approximately 4 million blue fentanyl pills--in largest seizure in agency history

https://t.co/nE1dd5ya5n

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

A NIDA grant has been awarded to CESAR & UMB under a new R24 funding opportunity to establish Patient Engagement Resource Centers. ARTEMIS will establish a sustainable model to advance patient-centered, community-driven integrated care models for polysubstance use in rural areas.

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

In the past 18 months CESAR has expanded beyond our epidemiological work to focus on recovery & peer services. Active projects in Appalachian Maryland, Baltimore, and the Eastern Shore have supported local internships & treatment retention. Now two new grants have been awarded.🧵

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

CESAR was awarded a #UMD Do Good Institute inaugural grant. Our winning proposal: Build a peer-informed digital hub to support and inform Maryland's recovery community about peer resources in the state. Read about it at the link below.

https://t.co/Ql0GtCMiPY

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

MD-EDDS detects Xylazine in 2%-12% of hospital ED patients across Maryland; likely to be found with other drugs. Specimens containing #xylazine also often contained drugs such as fentanyl (77%), cocaine (77%), and/or morphine (67%).

https://t.co/9ZOjHmi1NF

[CESAR Research @CESAResearch]

Josh Siems Act--required routine fentanyl testing--in action: MD-EDDS finds 23-81% of overdose patients in 16 Maryland hospitals tested positive for fentanyl. In four hospitals, 68% or more of the specimens tested were positive for #fentanyl.

https://t.co/yoMfYLCdqQ