A recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a comprehensive look at substance use disorder (SUD) treatment across the United States, including who is entering treatment, what substances are most commonly involved, and what services are being utilized. Drawing on data from the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), the annual report captures admissions and discharges among individuals ages 12 and older receiving treatment a

Explore facts and statistics on alcohol use disorder, including health impacts, mortality, and treatment gaps in the United States.

Alcohol Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness and increase understanding of how alcohol use impacts our health and communities. In the United States, alcohol contributes to more than 178,000 deaths each year, making it one of the leading preventable causes of death. In 2024 alone, nearly 28 million Americans ages 12 and older (1 in 10 people) met the criteria for an alcohol use disorder. Excessive alcohol use is also linked to seven different types of cancer and more t

Source: University of Michigan The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the University of Michigan published new data from the Monitoring the Future Study, an annual survey of drug use behaviors and attitudes among eighth, 10th, and 12th graders that has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 51 years. The latest findings show that adolescent substance use in the United States remains at historically low levels.  The 2025 survey included 23,726 s

A new study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine shows that any level of alcohol consumption can increase the risk of dementia. Researchers also found that tripling weekly alcohol consumption—whether from one to three drinks per week or three to nine—was associated with a 15% increased risk of developing dementia. In the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 550,000 adults between the ages of 56-72 years at baseline and genetic information from an additional 2

Addiction Policy Forum is proud to share Alcohol Use Disorder 101—a brief, science-based online course designed to raise awareness and...

April is Alcohol Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness and increase understanding about Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and the serious...

Recent research suggests that semaglutide, a medication primarily used for type 2 diabetes and weight management, may also help reduce alcohol consumption. The study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who were prescribed GLP-1 drugs, popularly known by their brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, had a significantly lower risk of hospitalization for alcohol-related issues. Background on Semaglutide and Liraglutide Semaglutide and liraglu

A new report  from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on  Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) provides a detailed snapshot of substance use disorder treatment services across the United States. Findings are drawn from nearly 1.5 million treatment admissions and 1.4 million discharges reported in 2022 and show that 35.5% of admissions were for alcohol use, 16.9% were for heroin use, 13.9% were for methamphetamine use, 11.7% were for other opia

Findings from a new report from the Interagency Coordinating Committee for the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD)  indicate that...

NativeAIR (Native Communities—Alcohol Intervention Review) is a new user-friendly website that provides information on evidence-based interventions and strategies to help prevent and treat alcohol use disorder among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and other Indigenous communities. The website is designed to help Tribal and community leaders, educators, health professionals, and others identify and filter through a menu of interventions that may be most appropriate for t

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but for individuals in recovery from addiction, it can also bring unique stressors. Family...

Recovery is a journey best walked with support. For individuals living with substance use disorders, connecting with a supportive...

The video explainer on underage drinking highlights the risks and consequences of early alcohol use.

An alcohol-induced blackout is not just a lapse in memory; it’s a sign of the brain’s inability to function properly due to alcohol

 Drinking alcohol in any amount carries a health risk. Research shows that excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death.

A new study has challenged widespread assumptions that a glass of wine a day is actually good for your health. Moderate alcohol...

By Dr. Mark Gold and Dr. Lantie Jorandby Alcohol Use Today At least 95,000 people (approximately 68,000 men and 27,000 women) die from...

Researchers learn more about genetic influences on SUD, and what we learn can guide later innovations in treatment and prevention.

Punishment, the brain, and compulsive drinking. What leads only some individuals who drink heavily to drink compulsively?