Addiction Policy Forum

by Jessica Hulsey In my book Understanding Addiction, I dig into key topics about addiction and answer common questions that family members and caregivers have about substance use disorders (SUD), the medical term for addiction. It isn’t an excerpt from a medical textbook or a scientific journal. Instead, I’ve sat down with physicians and researchers in the addiction field to translate the science into understandable terms that I hope you find helpful. A Medical Condition The first thing to...

Join us on June 11, 2026, for a webinar exploring the science of addiction and models of recovery for substance use disorders. This webinar will begin with a foundational overview of the neurobiology of addiction, highlighting how changes in the brain shape behavior, decision-making, and vulnerability to relapse. Speakers will explain environmental cueing—such as the influence of people, places, and experiences—and its powerful role in triggering relapse. Building on this foundation, speakers...

As cannabis products have evolved, so too have the risks—especially for young people. Today’s cannabis products contain far higher levels of THC than in previous decades, with some products reaching up to 80-90% THC. This shift is raising concerns due to its association with increased risk of addiction, mental health challenges, and psychosis. In this Ask the Expert explainer, Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Stanford REACH Lab at Stanford University...