The Addiction Policy Forum launched the inaugural Cannabis Use Disorder Prevention and Awareness Week, April 15-22. The national educational initiative aims to increase public understanding of cannabis use disorder, symptoms of cannabis use disorder, highlight emerging health risks, and promote prevention efforts. As cannabis use continues to rise across the United States, public perception of its risks remains low. However, research shows that an estimated 20.6 million peopl

A growing body of research shows the effectiveness of several treatment options for cannabis use disorder (CUD). In this Ask the Expert interview, Dr. Redonna Chandler discusses the evidence surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of CUD. Dr. Chandler previously served as Director of the HIV Research Program and the HEALing Communities Study at the National Institute on Drug Abuse and now serves as a scientific advisor at the Addiction Policy Forum. Dr. Chandler discusses psy

In this Ask the Expert video, Dr. Margaret Haney, Professor of Neurobiology and Director of the Cannabis Research Laboratory at Columbia University Medical Center, discusses cannabis use disorder (CUD) and key risk factors. Although cannabis is often perceived as low-risk, an estimated 5.8% of the population meets criteria for CUD, with severity ranging from mild to moderate and severe.1 Research shows that individuals with more severe CUD experience diminished productivity,

The Addiction Policy Forum and 146 national, state, and local organizations from across the country sent a letter urging Congress to continue funding for substance use disorder programs in the FY2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) appropriations bill. The national sign-on letter calls on Congress to maintain funding for key federal agencies and programs that address substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorders across

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

Addiction Policy Forum joined 330 national, state, and local organizations in support of continued funding of the Second Chance Act in the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.  The sign-on letter urges Congress to continue funding for Second Chance Act recidivism reduction and reentry programs. Second Chance Act programs provide individuals reentering the community with services, including housing, job training, education, sub

Addiction Policy Forum released new knowledge scales that we developed to better measure understanding of substance use disorder.

Addiction remains one of the most pressing health challenges. Across the world, researchers are advancing how we address substance use disorders by understanding risk factors and patterns of use, diagnosing them early with more precision, considering comorbidities, and treating them more effectively. Together, these developments are reshaping community responses and clinical practices by informing evidence-based approaches targeting prevention, treatment, recovery, and policy

The Responding to Addiction Participant Manual—the official companion to our instructor-led Responding to Addiction training—is now available for purchase on Amazon. This accessible guide reinforces and expands on training content with science-backed information about substance use disorders, including: How addiction impacts the brain Recognizing signs and symptoms Evidence-based treatment approaches, including medication for addiction treatment Practical guidance on how to