Vermilion County ROSC and Carle Health held a Responding to Addiction training in Danville, Illinois. This three-hour, multidisciplinary training was open to all community members and equipped participants with the knowledge and practical tools to better understand and address substance use disorders. Attendees learned about the signs and symptoms of addiction, the science of addiction, evidence-based treatment options—including medications for substance use disorders—and eff

Join Dartmouth Health, Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center, All Together New Hampshire, and the Greater Sullivan County Public Health Network for an upcoming Responding to Addiction virtual training. This training describes the science of addiction, signs and symptoms of a substance use disorder (SUD), evidence-based treatment approaches for SUD, FDA-approved medications to treat SUD, and how to talk to someone about their substance use. 3 free Continuing Educ

Women with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may face unique barriers to care, including stigma, caregiving responsibilities, co-occurring mental health conditions, trauma exposure, and limited access to services designed to meet their needs. Understanding these factors is essential to improving equitable access to effective, person-centered treatment. This webinar examined alcohol use and AUD among women in the United States, with a focus on the evidence base for treatment and clin

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is among the most prevalent substance use disorders in the United States, affecting millions of people each year and contributing to significant health, social, and economic harms. Yet, despite the availability of effective behavioral interventions and medications, many individuals with AUD do not receive treatment. This webinar provided an introduction to alcohol use and AUD in the United States, including epidemiologic trends, diagnostic criteria,

The Upstream Prevention held a Responding to Addiction training in Greenwood, Indiana, for Save a Life Day. This three-hour, multidisciplinary training equipped participants with the knowledge and practical tools to better understand and address substance use disorders. Attendees learned about the signs and symptoms of addiction, the science of addiction, evidence-based treatment options—including medications for substance use disorders—and effective strategies for engaging a

The Ethnic Communities Opioid Response Network–Missouri (ECORN-MO) hosted an interactive National Recovery Month webinar focused on substance use disorder treatment and recovery services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and speakers of languages other than English (LOTE). Presenters from Affinia Healthcare and Assisted Recovery Centers of America shared insights on improving access to treatment and recovery services for diverse communities. Virtual | Sep

The Brunswick County Health Services, Southeastern Regional Substance Abuse Mental Health Collaborative (SUAMHC), and Christian Recovery Centers Inc. held an enCompass training in Shallotte, NC. This training was designed to help family members, loved ones, and community members better understand substance use disorders, evidence-based treatment, and build practical skills for supporting someone with a substance use disorder. Participants gained evidence-informed tools and st

Let's Get Real, Inc. hosted an in-person Responding to Addiction training on Thursday, August 19th, 2026, from 5 to 7 PM EDT in Lorain, Ohio. This training was open to adults who were interested in learning about the science of addiction, its signs and symptoms, evidence-based treatment options, medications to treat addiction, and engagement strategies.

Tackle addiction stigma in your community by becoming a certified instructor. Become a Certified Responding to Addiction Instructor The Addiction Policy Forum (APF) is proud to have offered a virtual instructor certification program for our nationally recognized Responding to Addiction training on Thursday, June 25th, 2026, from 12 - 4 PM EST. This was an opportunity to empower others, deepen your impact, and help bring evidence-based training to communities across the countr

This webinar explored findings from a nationally representative study examining addiction knowledge in the United States and how it shapes attitudes toward individuals in recovery and support for public health policies. Conducted by the Addiction Policy Forum, Gallup, and researchers from the University of Delaware, the study identified critical gaps in addiction knowledge. Findings showed that nearly one in four U.S. adults did not recognize addiction as a health condition,

This webinar presented a foundational overview of the neurobiology of addiction, highlighting how changes in the brain shape behavior, decision-making, and vulnerability to relapse. Speakers explained environmental cueing—such as the influence of people, places, and experiences—and its powerful role in triggering relapse. Building on this foundation, speakers examined the current research about recovery, including key definitions and models that support long-term success. The

There is ongoing research to develop effective, sustainable, and scalable strategies to prevent the initiation of substance use and its progression to substance use disorders, as well as prevent other related health consequences. Evidence-based prevention interventions - particularly those implemented at key developmental stages can have a profound and lasting impact. In addition to reducing substance use, prevention approaches can improve long-term health and help prevent a

Stimulant use disorder is a growing public health concern, with increasing rates of methamphetamine and cocaine use nationwide. Unlike opioid use disorder, there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for stimulant use disorder, making effective treatment strategies especially critical. This webinar provided an overview of stimulant use disorder, including the most common types of stimulants, how stimulant use disorder is diagnosed, and what researchers have l

Neuromodulation is gaining attention as an effective approach for treating substance use disorders. These techniques work by using electrical, magnetic, or soundwave stimulation to stimulate brain circuits affected by addiction. Research shows encouraging results in reducing craving and relapse risk. This webinar provides an overview of neuromodulation, including the various techniques and how they work, and what current research indicates about their potential role in addi

Responding to Addiction, a training designed to deepen understanding of addiction and build practical skills to support individuals and families, was held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at Springfield Assembly of God on Canton Road in Akron, Ohio. Created by the Addiction Policy Forum, Responding to Addiction is a comprehensive training that equips participants with evidence-based knowledge and real-world strategies to respond effectively when someone i

An in-person Responding to Addiction training was held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM ET, with dinner served at 6:00 PM in Uniontown, Ohio. This training was open to adults who were interested in learning about the science of addiction, its signs and symptoms, evidence-based treatment options, medications to treat addiction, and engagement strategies. Created by Addiction Policy Forum, the Responding to Addiction training was sponsored by Tyler's Redempti

The Addiction Policy Forum 10th Anniversary Reception featured thoughtful dialogue, recognition of key leaders on Capitol Hill and throughout the field, and an opportunity to celebrate progress in the field while recommitting to the work ahead. 2025 Award Winners Legislators of the Year Awards The Legislator of the Year Award is granted annually to Members of Congress who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to improving our nation’s response to the addicti

7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a psychoactive component of kratom — and it’s showing up increasingly in new concentrate and synthetic forms in products found in gas stations and convenience stores. These newer formulations have increased concerns among researchers, clinicians, and advocates about misuse, unpredictable potency, and emerging health risks. Even though kratom is widely available, there’s still limited public understanding of how synthetic and concentrated 7-OH pr

Cannabis is one of the most commonly used substances in the United States, and while often perceived as low risk, use can lead to the development of cannabis use disorder (CUD). CUD can affect brain function, behavior, and overall health, and the risk is especially concerning among adolescents and young adults. Despite its prevalence, effective prevention and treatment strategies for CUD are often less well known than those for other substance use disorders. This webinar focu

There have been national policy changes related to the use of cannabis for medical purposes, yet there are many questions from the public and healthcare providers about its medical use. The FDA has approved specific cannabis-derived and cannabis-related therapeutics for treating certain medical conditions, but it has not approved cannabis itself for treating any health conditions. This webinar examines the scientific evidence on cannabis and health, while separating evidence-