49 articles found
Investigation reveals super-potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes have caused over 1,100 confirmed deaths, with experts warning the true toll could reach 2,000 as these 1950s-era compounds flood the illicit market.
New research demonstrates that VR-based cue exposure therapy can effectively reduce cravings in people with substance use disorders, offering a scalable digital health intervention.
A new Federal Register notice invites patients, providers, and researchers to tell HHS which addiction treatment programs deserve federal support — with a July 5 deadline and a clear policy direction already visible between the lines.
Washington University study of 600,000 veterans finds GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy associated with reduced risks of substance use disorders and fewer overdoses across alcohol, opioids, nicotine, and other drugs.
Republican Representative Jaime Green proposes using Michigan's opioid settlement dollars to fund clinical trials of ibogaine, a psychedelic compound showing promise for treating PTSD and addiction in veterans.
Federal researchers receive FDA approval to begin Phase I clinical trial of mitragynine, marking first government-sanctioned human study of kratom's potential therapeutic effects.
Landmark UC San Diego research finds U.S. overdose deaths fell 24.4% in 2024, marking the first decline across all four waves of the addiction crisis, though stimulant-only deaths and racial disparities persist.
Acting Attorney General moves FDA-approved and state-regulated medical marijuana to Schedule III, with broader rescheduling hearings set for June 29, 2026.
UNODC World Drug Report 2026 reveals 1 in 16 people worldwide now use drugs, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl, nitazenes, and orphines replacing heroin and creating unprecedented public health risks.
Attorney General Kris Mayes allocates opioid settlement money to five rural counties for programs helping formerly incarcerated individuals find stability after release.
Philadelphia reports significant progress in reducing overdose deaths, particularly among Black residents who saw a 27% decrease, even as stimulant-related fatalities continue rising.
New NIH study reveals how cAMP signaling in brain neurons drives GLP-1 weight-loss effects, identifying a pathway to potentially extend treatment duration and break through patient plateaus.
Xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer increasingly mixed with fentanyl, is creating unprecedented challenges for overdose reversal and wound care across the United States.
The largest federally recognized tribe opens a 100-bed residential facility in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, integrating stickball, traditional gardening, and cultural practices into addiction recovery.
Louisiana legislature moves to authorize state-funded research into ibogaine, psilocybin, and MDMA for treating substance use disorders and PTSD, joining growing national movement.
Mississippi State Department of Health scales innovative addiction treatment program statewide using Epic EHR technology to identify risk earlier and reduce barriers to care in rural communities.
BGSU researchers analyzing syringes from Ohio needle exchange programs discovered dangerous Candida fungus in 86% of samples, plus a soil bacterium that could lead to new treatments
Investigation reveals Indiana municipalities spent over $300,000 of opioid settlement funds on bodycams, vape sensors, and solar eclipse meals instead of addiction treatment.
New Jonesboro facility addresses critical treatment gap in one of Georgia's most underserved regions, offering medically supervised detox and residential care amid rising overdose rates.
Minnesota lawmakers vote 114-15 to legalize regulated psilocybin-assisted therapy, making the state the fourth in the nation to authorize supervised psychedelic treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.
University of Alabama at Birmingham study published in JAMA Network Open finds psilocybin-assisted therapy significantly improved abstinence rates among individuals with cocaine use disorder, offering hope for a condition with no FDA-approved medications.
New NIH-funded research reveals that oral small-molecule GLP-1 drugs like orforglipron suppress hedonic feeding by modulating the central amygdala, opening potential pathways for treating substance use disorders.
Historic expansion of Wisconsin's oldest women's addiction treatment facility addresses critical waitlist of 100+ people, funded by opioid settlement dollars and private philanthropy.
New Hope Valley facility offers residential detox, trauma therapy, and holistic wellness for Alaska's veterans and active-duty members in a state with the highest per-capita veteran population.
Nevada expects $57.9 million over 15 years from the $7.4 billion Purdue Pharma and Sackler family settlement, bringing the state's total opioid settlement recovery to over $1.2 billion.
New Mexico becomes testing ground for SAMHSA-vetted digital recovery platform with dedicated teen version, offering 24/7 peer support and crisis intervention through smartphones.
New Child Trends analysis shows youth overdose deaths dropped 37% since 2023, with rates now lower than before the pandemic despite fentanyl's continued spread.
UC San Diego and SDSU study of 2.8 million students finds local flavor bans reduce e-cigarette use by 20% with no increase in cigarette smoking, challenging industry arguments.
Wake Forest research reveals e-cigarette taxes reduced vaping among heterosexual teens by 3-4 percentage points, yet had no effect on LGBQ youth who use nicotine to cope with bullying and emotional distress.
New ASAM Criteria volume establishes dedicated clinical standards for youth SUD treatment, emphasizing brain development, family engagement, and integrated mental health care
DEA reports 1,400 carfentanil identifications in 2025, up from just 54 in 2022. The veterinary tranquilizer, 100 times stronger than fentanyl, is killing unsuspecting users as China cracks down on fentanyl precursors.
More than 200 residents protest proposed 122-bed addiction treatment facility funded by California's Proposition 1, highlighting tensions between statewide mental health expansion and neighborhood concerns
North Carolina awards federal block grants to 12 community organizations for rural treatment, crisis response, and justice-involved recovery programs targeting 1.4 million residents with substance use disorders.
Ann Arbor-based online addiction provider now treats kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine dependence through app-based platform, addressing regulatory gap as FDA restricts potent derivatives but leaf products remain unregulated nationwide.
American Society of Addiction Medicine releases first comprehensive update to youth substance use disorder treatment standards in over a decade, addressing telehealth, trauma-informed care, and medication access.
Swedish registry analysis of 100,000 individuals finds GLP-1 medications reduce depression by 44%, anxiety by 38%, and substance use disorders by 47%.
AB 602 requires California public universities to provide addiction treatment rather than punishment when students seek help for overdoses, effective July 2026.
Psychostimulants, primarily methamphetamine, overtook opioids as Iowa's leading overdose cause in 2024. Without a Narcan equivalent, public health officials confront new treatment challenges.
Bipartisan DETECT Nitazenes Act introduced in Congress would enhance detection technology for emerging class of synthetic opioids linked to over 1,000 deaths in UK.
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
Eight new mental health and drug treatment facilities will receive Proposition 1 funding, including sobering centers and residential programs across the Bay Area
VA study of 600,000 patients finds GLP-1 medications like Ozempic reduce substance use disorder risk by 15-20%, suggesting a common biological pathway underlying all addictions.
New national survey reveals 18 states mandate recovery assessments in treatment facilities, but federal reporting burdens and staffing shortages slow broader adoption.
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.
Washington University research shows uMAT-R app reduced opioid and drug use by 50% in people experiencing housing insecurity, addressing critical gap in treatment access.
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.
As cocaine and methamphetamine become contaminated with fentanyl, researchers argue that contingency management and culturally adapted harm reduction are essential—yet remain vastly underutilized across the United States.
Digital therapeutics for substance use disorders are gaining traction as researchers identify key strategies to improve engagement and outcomes, with apps reaching patients beyond traditional clinic walls.
New Jersey lawmakers unanimously approve trio of bills to regulate addiction treatment industry, addressing concerns raised in 2024 state investigation into facility operations and peer recovery programs.