1 in 4 Tested Positive: The Truth About Hepatitis C & The 8-Week Cure (with Dr. Ellen Eaton & Sarah Hewitt, CRNP)1 in 4 Tested Positive: The Truth About Hepatitis C & The 8-Week Cure (with Dr. Ellen Eaton & Sarah Hewitt, CRNP)
APC Recovery Cafe
A candid conversation unpacks how common hepatitis C is among people with substance use histories, why screening matters, and how modern 8–12 week oral treatments can cure the infection. The guests focus on nurses, community organisations and practical incentives as key to expanding access to care in Alabama.
34:43•15 Oct 2026
One in Four Positive: Hepatitis C, Recovery, and an 8-Week Cure
Episode Overview
- Hepatitis C often has no symptoms for years, making routine screening essential, especially for those with past injection drug use or unregulated tattoos.
- Modern hepatitis C treatment uses simple oral medication over 8–12 weeks, with far fewer side effects than older interferon-based therapies.
- Nurses, nurse practitioners and community organisations can significantly expand screening and linkage to care in areas with few doctors.
- Gift card incentives and clear referral pathways increase uptake of testing and help move people from a positive result to actual treatment.
- Data from Beacon Clinic show about one in four screened individuals have hepatitis C antibodies, highlighting the scale of undiagnosed infection in vulnerable groups.
“And then a few years later, it’s like, oh, just take this medicine, and you’re cured. And that’s just mind-blowing.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol and other risks to their health? This conversation at APC Recovery Cafe shifts the focus to hepatitis C, why it’s so common, and how it connects directly with substance use and recovery. Host Nichole Dawsey chats with infectious diseases and addiction medicine physician Dr Ellen Eaton and family nurse practitioner Sarah Hewitt, who both work with UAB’s Beacon Clinic and wider community projects.
They break down hepatitis C in plain language, explaining why it’s called a “silent disease”, how many people may carry it for decades without symptoms, and why screening is vital – especially for those with a history of injection drug use, unregulated tattoos, or limited access to healthcare.
You’ll hear Sarah’s amazement at modern treatment: “You were going to have to go through this interferon… and then a few years later, it’s like, oh, just take this medicine, and you’re cured. And that’s just mind-blowing.” Dr Eaton shares Beacon Clinic data showing that out of more than 100 people screened, about 24% tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies – roughly one in four.
The episode digs into how nurses, nurse practitioners and community organisations can lead the way in screening, especially in a state short on doctors but rich in committed mid-level providers. There’s practical talk about simple finger-prick tests, £10–15 gift card incentives, and referral pathways so people aren’t just told to “follow up with your GP” when they don’t have one.
For anyone in recovery, supporting someone who uses substances, or working in frontline services, this chat offers concrete hope: hepatitis C can be cured with 8–12 weeks of oral medication, reducing future liver damage and cancer risk. It’s a mix of science nerd energy, honest stats, and genuine care for people often forgotten by the system. If you’ve ever wondered whether getting tested is worth the hassle, this episode might be the nudge that makes you ask, “Why not?”
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