UT Health San Antonio Establishes Be Well Institute on Substance Use and Related Disorders

A Groundbreaking Initiative for Research, Treatment, and Education

Leading the way in combating substance use and addiction issues, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has announced the establishment of the Be Well Institute on Substance Use and Related Disorders. The innovative initiative is designed to enhance research, foster patient recovery support, and advance education on substance use and related disorders.

A Holistic Approach towards Addressing Addiction

This new institute aims to nationally advance the understanding of substance use disorders. It houses the existing Be Well Texas initiative, thereby creating a comprehensive center of excellence for research, public health programs, clinical support, as well as education and community engagement catering to the field of addiction and associated conditions. The goal of the institute is to provide high-quality, patient-centered, and integrated care backed by extensive research and understanding of substance use.

“This institute will lead transformational change in addressing substance use and substance use disorders throughout Texas and the nation,” said Robert A. Hromas, MD, FACP, acting president of UT Health San Antonio. He emphasized the institute’s instrumental role in discovering and implementing new treatments, accelerating collaborations among stakeholders, and facilitating the recruitment of top-tier scientists and clinicians to UT Health San Antonio.

Empowering Recovery and Supporting Communities

Under the leadership of Jennifer Sharpe Potter, PhD, MPH, vice president for research at UT Health San Antonio, this institute marks a crucial milestone in the university’s commitment to address the complex challenges imposed by substance use. The center aims to remove the stigma surrounding substance use, support recovery for patients and their families, and drive transformational care for those grappling with substance uses and disorders.

The Need for Substance Use Interventions

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, substance use and mental health disorders experienced an alarming increase, with many individuals resorting to self-medication. While opioids are often in the spotlight, alcohol, marijuana, and stimulants like methamphetamine are the most problematic substances in some regions of the country, including South Texas. Considering these factors, the Be Well Institute aims to improve the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders (SUD).

Expanding Collaborations and Initiatives

Through several statewide initiatives, the Be Well Institute will expand access to services and support, providing an extensive portfolio of evidence-based treatments with an emphasis on medical interventions, psychological therapies, social and peer support, need-based follow-up care, and provider training. An unprecedented 107,000 Americans died in 2022 from drug overdose, reflecting the dire need for comprehensive, multipronged interventions like this.

About the Institute’s Founding Director

Jennifer Sharpe Potter, a nationally recognized public health scientist and practitioner, is known for her groundbreaking research and treatment methods aimed at mitigating addiction, substance use disorders, and related disorders. “The launch of the Be Well Institute heralds a new era of collaboration and innovation in the field of substance use research and care,” she said.

Reinstating Hope for Patients and Their Families

Potter’s vision is for stakeholders from across academia, healthcare, and public sectors to join in this vital endeavor. By doing so, the institute aims to improve the lives of individuals and communities affected by substance use disorders, thereby reaffirming UT Health San Antonio’s mission to make lives better through excellence in advanced academics and life-saving research.