RESEARCH

Research & Progress

Research projects and new science of note

APF Research Reports

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

New Study on Stigmatizing Imagery for Substance Use Disorders Released

A new Addiction Policy Forum-led study explores stigmatizing and non-stigmatizing imagery for substance use disorders (SUD) and criminal...

Jul 18, 2023

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

Study Finds Quitting Smoking is Associated with Improved Recovery from Other Substance Use Disorders

Findings from a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) study show that quitting cigarette smoking is associated with improved recovery outcomes from other substance use disorders. Using data from more than 2,600 adults participating in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, researchers examined changes in smoking status and re

Jan 29

Adolescent Substance Use Remains Near Historic Lows: Findings from the 2025 NIDA and University of Michigan Monitoring the Future Survey

Source: University of Michigan The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the University of Michigan published new data from the Monitoring the Future Study, an annual survey of drug use behaviors and attitudes among eighth, 10th, and 12th graders that has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 51 years. The latest findings show that adolescent substance use in the United States remains at historically low levels. The 2025 survey included 23,726

Jan 13

Neuromodulation for Treating Substance Use Disorders

While medications for addiction treatment (MAT) and behavioral therapies are the primary treatment options for substance use disorders (SUDs), neuromodulation interventions have emerged as promising new treatments. These non-invasive therapies use electrical, magnetic, or soundwave stimulation to alter the activity of neural circuits in the brain involved in reward and motivation and implicated in addiction (Oesterle et al., 2025). The goal is to directly influence brain func

Nov 10, 2025

Over 48 Million People Have a Diagnosable Substance Use Disorder in the United States

In 2024, 48.4 million people in the U.S. ages 12 and older – about 1 in 6 people– met the criteria for a substance use disorder, according to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) released by SAMHSA. The annual report provides nationally representative data on substance use (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, misuse of prescription drugs), substance use disorders, treatment receipt, recovery, and related behavioral health indicators. Of the 48.4

Nov 10, 2025

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

Alcohol and Your Health

Drinking alcohol in any amount carries a health risk. Research shows that excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death.

Jul 17, 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...