RESEARCH

Research & Progress

Research projects and new science of note

APF Research Reports

Use APF’s New Tools to Measure Substance Use Disorder Knowledge in Your Community

Understanding the science of substance use disorders (SUD), including prevention, treatment, and recovery, is critical to how individuals and communities respond to addiction. Yet despite decades of research, misconceptions about SUDs remain widespread, shaping not only how people think and act towards individuals who are struggling, but also how patients seek care. Strengthening addiction literacy—the ability to access, understand, and apply information about SUDs—is essenti

Mar 30

Study Introduces Tools to Measure Substance Use Disorder Knowledge

A study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence introduces two new validated tools designed to measure substance use disorder (SUD) knowledge across prevention, treatment, and recovery. In response to the lack of validated tools to measure general knowledge about SUD, the Addiction Policy Forum and researchers from the University of Delaware developed and tested two scales to assess knowledge about addiction, including risk factors, treatment options, and medications used

Mar 11

Protect Your Brain: Pilot Study Released

The Addiction Policy Forum, in partnership with the University of Delaware, has released results from a pilot study testing the effectiveness of a training curriculum for youth. Protect Your Brain is a curriculum developed by the Addiction Policy Forum to strengthen prevention knowledge and equip young people with tools to reduce the risk of developing a substance use disorder. The program also emphasizes the neuroscience of brain health, healthy coping skills, and the uniqu

Sep 25, 2025

The Effects of Stigma on Naloxone Attitudes and Policy Endorsement

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

Jul 29, 2025

Study Results Show enCompass Reduces Stigma, Increases Knowledge

A recent study published in the Journal of Addictive Diseases shows that individuals who participated in Addiction Policy Forum’s...

Feb 3, 2025

Alcohol Remains the Primary Driver of Treatment Admissions in the U.S., followed by Methamphetamines and Heroin

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 a

Apr 7

Study Finds Association Between Chronic Cannabis Use and Cardiovascular Dysfunction

In a study published in JAMA Cardiology , researchers found chronic cannabis use—whether through smoking or THC-infused edibles—is associated with impaired vascular function, even among young and otherwise healthy adults. Healthy vascular function allows blood vessels to dilate properly, deliver oxygen efficiently, and help regulate key processes within the circulatory system. When vascular function is impaired, blood vessels are less able to expand, which can reduce blood fl

Mar 30

Treating Depression Early in Treatment May Improve Methamphetamine Use Disorder Outcomes

Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) continues to pose a growing public health challenge in the United States. Despite rising rates of use and overdose deaths, there are currently no FDA-approved medications for treating MUD. Prior studies have shown that naltrexone (used to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders) and bupropion (an antidepressant) have independently been effective in MUD treatment. In a 2021 landmark clinical trial (ADAPT-2), researchers found that combining t

Mar 24

Adolescent Cannabis Use Associated With Increased Risk of Psychiatric Disorders

A new study published in JAMA Health Forum found that adolescent cannabis use was associated with an increased risk of developing psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders by young adulthood. The study included over 400,000 adolescents ages 13 to 17 who were universally screened for past-year cannabis use during routine pediatric visits between 2016 and 2023. Participants were followed through age 25, and researchers examined clinician-diagnosed psychiatric disor

Mar 4

Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder has Increased, but Access Gaps Persist

Despite growth in the use of medications used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) – including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone – most people with OUD in the United States still do not receive medication. National estimates show only 25% of individuals with OUD receive medications for OUD (MOUD), underscoring a persistent gap between need and access. Research published in JAMA Health Forum found methadone treatment among Medicaid enrollees increased substantially ove

Feb 26

Suvorexant for Sleep Disturbance in Substance Use Recovery

Sleep disturbance is a common, yet often overlooked, part of substance use disorders (SUDs). During withdrawal, many people report difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, and sleep disturbance may persist during long-term recovery. The severity of sleep disturbances have also shown to be a predictor of relapse and later substance use (Gyawali & James, 2023 ). With alcohol use disorder (AUD) specifically, insomnia is frequently reported, and untreated insomnia has been i

Feb 18

Screening for Cannabis Use Disorder and Effective Tools to Educate Youth on the Risks with Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher

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 Stanfo

3 days ago

Fentanyl Education Resources Available in 13 Languages

In a large-scale effort to make fentanyl and counterfeit pill education resources available to communities, The Addiction Policy Forum...

Sep 19, 2024

Facts About Fentanyl: Understanding the Risks

As fentanyl continues to impact communities at an unprecedented rate, understanding its potency and dangers is critical to reducing harm....

Aug 27, 2024

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic health condition affecting over 48 million people nationwide. Addiction has biological components, such as the...

Aug 1, 2024

The Risks Associated with Underage Drinking

The video explainer on underage drinking highlights the risks and consequences of early alcohol use.

Jul 25, 2024

The Biology of a Blackout

An alcohol-induced blackout is not just a lapse in memory; it’s a sign of the brain’s inability to function properly due to alcohol

Jul 18, 2024

Exercise Benefits for Recovery from Addiction

Exercise is a safe and effective tool in addressing substance use disorders and depression.

Research You Can Use: Rapid Treatment of HCV for People Who Inject Drugs to Increase Cure Rates

Click here for CME/CE information and disclosures Rapid Treatment of HCV for People Who Inject Drugs to Increase Cure Rates Supported by...

A Strategy Toward Hepatitis C Elimination

Supporting Opioid Substitution Treatment and Hepatitis C Treatment in People Who Inject Drugs: A Strategy Toward Hepatitis C Elimination...