La adicción es una afección de salud crónica que afecta a más de 48 millones de personas en todo el país. La adicción tiene componentes biológicos —como sus efectos en el cerebro—, así como componentes psicológicos y sociales. Este enfoque —denominado biopsicosocial— reconoce que existen múltiples vías que conducen a la adicción, tales como la predisposición genética, factores psiquiátricos y psicológicos, y mecanismos de afrontamiento poco saludables. En el tratamiento de la

La adicción es una afección médica compleja que afecta el funcionamiento del cerebro. Comprender la ciencia que subyace a la adicción puede ayudar a reducir el estigma, fortalecer las iniciativas de prevención y aumentar la conciencia sobre por qué la adicción no es simplemente una cuestión de fuerza de voluntad. El alcohol y otras drogas pueden afectar áreas importantes del cerebro, incluido el sistema límbico —que ayuda a regular los instintos de supervivencia y la recompe

La adicción es una afección médica que afecta al cerebro y modifica el comportamiento. Comprender cómo la adicción repercute en el cerebro es un paso importante para prevenir los trastornos por consumo de sustancias, reducir el estigma y apoyar a las personas en su camino hacia la recuperación. El consumo de sustancias puede afectar áreas del cerebro responsables de la toma de decisiones, la motivación y la recompensa. Con el tiempo, el consumo reiterado de sustancias puede

Addiction is a complex medical condition that affects how the brain functions. Understanding the science behind addiction can help reduce stigma, strengthen prevention efforts, and increase awareness of why addiction is not simply a matter of willpower. Alcohol and other drugs can affect important areas of the brain, including the limbic system, which helps regulate survival instincts and reward, and the cortex, which plays a role in decision-making and impulse control. Repe

Addiction is a medical condition that affects the brain and changes behavior. Understanding how addiction impacts the brain is an important step toward preventing substance use disorders, reducing stigma, and supporting individuals on their path to recovery. Substance use can affect areas of the brain responsible for decision-making, motivation, and reward. Over time, repeated substance use can change how the brain functions, making it increasingly difficult for a person to

Despite growing awareness of addiction, important knowledge gaps remain that can influence how people respond to and treat people who are impacted by substance use disorders. Misconceptions about addiction can influence how people respond to those who are struggling, shaping everything from personal interactions to support for policies that expand access to care. Better understanding public attitudes toward addiction is an important step in reducing stigma and improving recov

Across the country, stigma remains one of the greatest barriers preventing people from seeking help for substance use disorders. In Montgomery County, Ohio, the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board is tackling this challenge head-on through its bold public awareness initiative, Stigma Is Out of Style. After joining Addiction Policy Forum’s Anti-Stigma Initiative, Montgomery County ADAMHS piloted a community survey in partnership with the Addiction

Despite decades of research and growing public awareness about substance use disorders (SUDs), stigma continues to affect how people are treated, whether they seek help, and how communities respond to addiction. Stigma occurs when people are viewed as different, less worthy, or defined by their illness, leading to stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Stigma can discourage people from accessing treatment, create barriers to recovery, and contribute to discrimination in

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,

The Addiction Policy Forum and Gallup released Addiction Stigma in America: How Public Knowledge Shapes Attitudes Toward Recovery, featuring findings from a nationally representative study examining Americans’ addiction literacy and how it influences stigma, attitudes toward individuals in recovery, and support for public health policies. The report is also available on Gallup's website. The study included a nationally representative sample of 5,097 U.S. adults surveyed throu

New Addiction Policy Forum and Gallup Study Released Findings from a nationally representative study show that nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults (23%) either disagree or do not know that addiction is a health condition. Individuals who did not recognize addiction as a health condition were significantly less likely to believe substance use disorders (SUDs) are treatable by healthcare professionals, that early intervention works, or that medications are effective treatments to treat a

Study using AI to analyze community coalition meeting minutes from the HEALing Communities Study (HCS) identifies key themes and how they intersected with decisions when selecting evidence-based practices (EBPs) to reduce overdose deaths.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses by blocking the effects of opioids and reversing overdose symptoms...

Findings suggest that higher levels of stigma are associated with decreased support for naloxone availability Bethesda, MD (July 29, 2025) — The Addiction Policy Forum released a new report today that examines how addiction-related stigma is associated with attitudes toward naloxone access and policy endorsement. For the study, Addiction Policy Forum and researchers from the University of Delaware designed and administered a survey to 57 partner organizations, ranging from pu

The Addiction Policy Forum, in partnership with ECORN-MO, conducted a webinar that explored the stigma surrounding addiction and...

Now Open: Fall 2025 Anti-Stigma Institute– Register to Join Us in DC to help decrease stigma within your community, organization, and state.

SalusCare piloted a community survey in partnership with the Addiction Policy Forum to better understand substance use disorder (SUD) stigma, including attitudes, misconceptions, and policy support related to SUD services. Stigma remains one of the greatest barriers preventing individuals with SUD from seeking treatment and achieving long-term recovery. A total of 269 individuals responded to the survey administered by SalusCare between December 8, 2023, and June 6, 2024. The

Registration is now open for the 2025 Anti-Stigma Institute , scheduled for September 29 & 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Institute...

Tuscarawas County Health Department piloted a community survey in partnership with the Addiction Policy Forum to better understand substance use disorder (SUD) stigma, including attitudes, misconceptions, and policy support related to SUD services. Stigma remains one of the greatest barriers preventing individuals with SUD from seeking treatment and achieving long-term recovery. A total of 361 individuals responded to the survey administered by Tuscarawas County Health Depart

Dartmouth Health piloted a community survey in partnership with the Addiction Policy Forum to better understand substance use disorder (SUD) stigma, including attitudes, misconceptions, and policy support related to SUD services. Stigma remains one of the greatest barriers preventing individuals with SUD from seeking treatment and achieving long-term recovery. A total of 474 individuals responded to the survey administered by Dartmouth Health between November 10, 2023, and Ja