Addiction and Recovery Collaborative - UI ARC

06/03/2026

This week, UI ARC and the Iowa Psychedelics Research Program paired up to reach first responders from across the nation at the 2026 Mental Wellness Symposium hosted by the University of Iowa and the First Responder Center for Excellence .

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT T HE IOWA PSYCHEDELICS RESEARCH PROGRAM, visit their page: 🍄🧠

Thank you so much for having us!

05/28/2026

The 2026 Mental Wellness Symposium is next week, and UI ARC will be in attendance alongside the UI Psychedelics Research Program. 🍄🧠

Our aim is to pass on resources and hear more directly from Iowa's first responders on the mental health challenges and barriers that they face.

Learn more about this event below:

Several hundred firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS crews and other first responders from all across the nation will be gathering in Iowa City later this week for a conference designed to decrease their levels of stress and burnout. Dan Clay, dean of the University of Iowa’s College of Edu...

05/26/2026

The Walk in Ankeny was a gathering place for a variety of incredible organizations, all focused on the betterment of Iowans facing substance use, mental health, or grief-related challenges. It was a wonderful and uplifting environment to be in. UI ARC is proud to be in the company of these organizations!

05/26/2026

The INTO LIGHT Iowa Continuing the Conversation traveling exhibit made its debut at the Steps of Hope Walk in Ankeny on Wednesday, May 20th! 🌳🛶

We were honored to have been included in such a beautiful event, held by our friend and ally Ann Breeding in honor of her son, Daniel, who is a part of the INTO LIGHT Iowa exhibit. 💜💜

It was a beautiful day full of support and resources for the recovery community. If you're interested in learning more about this annual event, check out their website at https://stepsofhopeiowa.org or watch KCRG's coverage of this year's walk: https://www.kcrg.com/2026/05/21/iowans-walk-raise-awareness-substance-abuse-disorder/ 📹📰

05/20/2026

On Saturday, May 16, a few members of the UI ARC team travelled to Wapello County for Ottumwa's National Drug Court Celebration. We tabled, we handed out naloxone, we participated in the very Midwestern tradition of "Smash Car," and more. 🚗🔨Thank you so much to for having us!

Is there an event in your area or town that you think UI ARC would be a great resource at? Email us at [email protected] to suggest events for our FREE naloxone handout services.

05/18/2026

The University of Iowa Addiction Recovery Collaborative (UI ARC), led by Dr. Alison Lynch, is excited to be tabling at the Steps of Hope Iowa Walk on Wednesday!

In case it's your first time meeting us, the UI ARC team brings together clinicians, researchers, educators, and recovery advocates dedicated to supporting individuals with substance use disorders throughout their recovery journey. For more information about our work, please visit our website at https://uiarc.uiowa.edu/ 🌐

Our MAT Mobile Clinic team will be present to discuss how we provide evaluations, follow‑up care, medication support, and recovery services to underserved areas across Iowa. 🚙

🖼️✏️You’ll also be able to view the INTO LIGHT portrait display—an impactful traveling exhibition honoring lives lost to overdose and helping reduce stigma around substance use. Anyone interested in having the exhibit visit an organization or event may fill out the following online form: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_82iVNC07arqPQWi

We invite you to stop by, connect with our team, and learn more about the work underway across Iowa to support recovery!

05/14/2026

Mental health and substance use are undeniably intertwined, and addiction medicine IS (among many other things) mental healthcare. 💜🧠

This month, we reflect at an organizational level about the influence that mental health resources (or lack thereof) can have on substance use. At a personal level, we think about destigmatization and person-forward techniques that we can bring into our practice and into our own interpersonal relationships.

Mental health matters! And UI ARC is here for mental healthcare accessibility and advocacy.

05/07/2026

Interested in learning more about our new STAR Project?

Heidi Wood, PharmD, MAS (co-founder of the STAR Project and clinical pharmacist at UI ARC) is presenting TOMORROW (Friday, May 8th) at 12 PM for the Iowa Primary Care Association () Behavioral Health ECHO session.

This grant-funded project is focused on expanding Iowans' access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) treatment and use of evidence-based practices to combat substance use disorders. Through outreach, community collaboration, and our own monthly Project ECHO sessions, UI ARC hopes to lessen the gap between Iowans and the help they need.

To learn more, visit the link:
https://iecho.org/public/program/PRGM17005841536554HRIHG0RAZ 🔗💻

Program Overview Led by a panel of behavioral health experts, BH ECHO helps participants learn best practices for treating common mental health conditions, connect with peers from around the state...

05/04/2026

What a beautiful day at the Johnson/Linn Counties NAMI Walk 2026! The Department of Psychiatry had a table inside and engaged with dozens of attendees about our department's services, spanning from Interventional Psychiatry to Child and Adolescent Services.

A team from UI ARC, including Dr. Alison Lynch, Dr. Carolyn Wong, Jared Swartzendruber, Nicole Smith, and Andrea Kunz, walked in support of NAMI's mission. Substance use and mental health come hand in hand and often require dual diagnoses— the fight of one of us is the fight of both. 💚💜

05/02/2026

Today is the day! Join us by 10 AM (earlier if you need to register!) at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, 579 McCollister Blvd, Iowa City. 🌿🎽👟

https://www.namiwalks.org/teams/ui-arc