Addiction Policy Forum

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 at facilities...

Effective treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) can include counseling and other psychosocial approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Contingency Management (CM). These therapies can help people build coping skills, manage cravings, strengthen relationships, and work toward their own recovery goals. A systematic review published in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy examined 64 randomized controlled trials published between 2021 and 2025. The studies looked at...

Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist widely used to treat obesity, has shown promise in treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Researchers in Copenhagen, Denmark, conducted a study with individuals seeking treatment for AUD who also had comorbid obesity. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either semaglutide or a placebo, alongside cognitive behavioral therapy. Those who received semaglutide achieved a 41% reduction in heavy drinking days—an outcome nearly 14% greater than the...