36 articles found
A deadly synthetic opioid called cychlorphine, estimated to be 10 times more potent than fentanyl and undetectable by standard test strips, has been linked to dozens of overdose deaths across Tennessee, Arkansas, California, and other states.
New JAMA Network Open research from Yale brings together 42 national experts to develop consensus guidelines for initiating addiction medications in hospitals as fentanyl transforms treatment protocols
Arizona secures $108 million from the $7.4 billion Purdue-Sackler settlement, bringing the state's total opioid recovery to $1.2 billion amid rising overdose deaths.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announces $200 million state allocation from $7.4 billion Purdue-Sackler settlement, bringing state's total opioid recovery past $2 billion milestone
Attorney General Jeff Jackson announces North Carolina's share of $7.4 billion national settlement, bringing state's total opioid recovery funds to $1.6 billion for addiction treatment and prevention.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announces $286.5 million state allocation as $7.4 billion Purdue Pharma settlement takes effect, bringing Texas opioid recoveries past $3 billion milestone
The historic $7.4 billion Purdue Pharma and Sackler family settlement becomes legally effective May 1, 2026, with states beginning to receive funds for addiction treatment and prevention programs.
Federal court sentences OxyContin maker to historic penalties, clearing path for bankruptcy settlement that includes $865 million for victims—but many will be shut out under tightened eligibility rules.
Physicians publish urgent editorial urging federal action to protect access to addiction medications during climate emergencies after Hurricane Helene exposed critical gaps.
New data presented at ASAM 2026 shows extended-release buprenorphine (Sublocade) associated with lowest overdose rates among medication options and supports remission as meaningful treatment endpoint.
State regulations force daily clinic visits and limit take-home doses, making medication-assisted treatment more burdensome than federal standards require.
State Senator Pat McMath proposes using unspent opioid settlement dollars to fund clinical research into psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans, first responders, and people with opioid dependence.
New research reveals 20% of US pharmacies block access to buprenorphine, with independent pharmacies and southern states showing significantly higher refusal rates for this life-saving opioid addiction medication.
President Trump signs executive order directing FDA to fast-track psychedelic drug reviews, allocates $50 million for ibogaine research, and establishes Right to Try pathway for treatment-resistant patients.
JAMA Network Open study finds Medicaid expansion in eight states increased buprenorphine prescriptions by over 21%, with Oklahoma seeing 43% drop in overdose deaths.
Advocates press Congress to expand Veterans Treatment Courts and restore VA benefits access for incarcerated veterans struggling with service-connected mental health and substance use disorders
New research in Journal of Psychiatric Research reveals individuals with opioid use disorder face 1.88 to 4.17 times greater odds of suicidal thoughts, with moderate cases showing highest attempt rates.
New BMJ research finds semaglutide and similar medications associated with 14% reduced risk of developing substance use disorders and 50% fewer deaths among veterans already in treatment.
Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Missouri are coordinating clinical trials of ibogaine—a Schedule I psychedelic—for opioid addiction and PTSD despite federal restrictions.
Two competing bills represent fundamentally different approaches to kratom policy—one seeks complete prohibition while the other acknowledges harm reduction uses for addiction recovery and pain management.
University of Cincinnati launches one of nation's largest trials pairing weight-loss drugs with proven addiction medication to improve treatment retention and reduce cravings.
New research from Ohio University finds primary care physicians view opioid use disorder as more treatable than diabetes, yet only 8% have ever prescribed buprenorphine, creating treatment deserts in rural America.
Proposed legislation SB 365 mandates that Connecticut emergency departments offer buprenorphine to patients with opioid use disorder, despite hospital opposition citing costs.
New Nature Mental Health study finds combining low-dose ketamine with mindfulness training improves outcomes for people receiving buprenorphine treatment, opening door to psychedelic-assisted interventions
Somerset County commissioners chose to protect a jail Sublocade program with zero overdose deaths over prevention services as opioid settlement funds run short.
New study finds NET Device reduces opioid and stimulant use for 3 months post-treatment, offering hope for polysubstance addiction amid no approved medications for stimulants
Cychlorphine, an emerging synthetic opioid more potent than fentanyl, has been connected to at least 16 overdose deaths in East Tennessee since October. Federal authorities track 22 samples nationwide as harm reduction officials warn naloxone may require multiple doses.
Mississippi Senate passes HB 314, allocating $5M from opioid settlement funds to join Texas and Arizona in FDA clinical trials of ibogaine for opioid addiction and PTSD treatment.
Weill Cornell research shows state laws eliminating insurance prior authorization for buprenorphine don't significantly improve 180-day retention rates, highlighting need for broader policy interventions.
Civil rights lawsuit alleges Missouri DOC and Centurion Health deny life-saving medication to prisoners with opioid use disorder, despite $7M in settlement funds and rampant drug availability.
Washington University analysis of 600,000+ VA patients finds GLP-1s tied to 50% reduction in drug-related deaths and lower risk across alcohol, opioid, cocaine, and nicotine use disorders.
Missouri's Veterans Mental Health Innovation Act would fund FDA ibogaine clinical trials for opioid use disorder and traumatic brain injury, joining Texas and Arizona in breakthrough therapy research.
State programs like Project Nurture combine prenatal care, substance use treatment, and peer support after Oregon data showed mental health and SUD led pregnancy-related deaths.
In a landmark policy shift, the FDA announced it will approve new drugs based on a single rigorous trial plus confirmatory evidence—a change that could accelerate development of therapies for opioid use disorder, alcohol addiction, and stimulant dependence.
New research from Harvard Medical School shows that just 10 yoga sessions can reduce the most severe phase of opioid withdrawal from nine days to five, offering a promising tool for addiction recovery.
New federal rules allow providers to prescribe six-month supply of buprenorphine via audio-only telehealth for opioid use disorder treatment, eliminating pandemic-era restrictions while implementing safeguards.