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Research & Progress
Research projects and new science of note
APF Research Reports
Addiction Stigma in America: How Public Knowledge Shapes Attitudes Toward Recovery
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
Jun 2
1 in 4 U.S. Adults Don’t Recognize Addiction as a Health Condition
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
Jun 1
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 28, 2025
Addiction Research Highlights
Early Substance Use Linked to Higher Rates of Polysubstance Use Disorders
Despite slight decreases in overall overdose deaths in recent years, deaths involving multiple drugs have risen over time. A study published in Molecular Psychiatry examined the prevalence of U.S. adults who had multiple substance use disorders––also known as a polysubstance use disorder––and whether the age they first used substances was associated with the number of disorders they experienced. Researchers analyzed data from 92,233 adults who participated in the 2022-2023 Na
1 day ago
Cannabis and Mental Health Treatment: What Does the Research Show?
Researchers conducted a review of the scientific literature to determine if using cannabis helped treat mental health problems. They identified 15 articles, divided by the type of mental health condition and form of cannabis used as a treatment. Overall, they found: No clear benefits: Evidence is too limited and uncertain to support cannabis as a treatment for conditions like post‑traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or ADHD. Some possible small benefit: A few stud
1 day ago
Does Cannabis Help or Hurt Sleep? Insights from a Long-Term Study
Many people use cannabis believing it helps them sleep. Researchers sought to understand whether cannabis (marijuana) use is linked to sleep quality in middle-aged adults. Researchers followed participants in a long-running U.S. health study for up to 35 years and examined both: Lifetime cannabis use (how much cannabis people had used over many years) Recent cannabis use (use within the past 30 days) To measure sleep, they used: A wearable device that tracked sleep objectivel
2 days ago
Alcohol Continues to Lead U.S. Treatment Admissions, Followed by Methamphetamine and Synthetic Opioids
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
3 days ago
New Review Examines Psychosocial Treatments for Substance Use Disorder
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
4 days ago
Semaglutide Shows Promise as Potential New Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
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% great
4 days ago
Researchers Make Progress Toward a Pain-Relieving Medication with Minimal Risk of Addiction
Developing effective pain-relieving medication with a low risk of addiction has long been a significant challenge in medical research. This year, a team of researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) identified a novel, highly potent synthetic opioid compound that demonstrates substantial pain reduction without the classic hallmarks of addiction. The research team, led by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), revisited an understudied class of
Oct 27
Brain Scans Reveal Why Stress Makes It Hard to Quit Smoking
A large body of research identifies the insula as a critical brain region involved in maintaining tobacco use disorder (TUD). The insula integrates emotion, cognition, and distress identification, linking distress awareness to cognitive control networks. Among daily smokers, distress triggers cravings and decreases the capacity to tolerate negative emotions, a key predictor of long-term cessation success. In this study, researchers investigated whether individual differences
Oct 27
Study Finds Buprenorphine May Reduce Cannabis Use in Patients Treated for Opioid Use Disorder
Most people with a substance use disorder concurrently use multiple drugs. Prior research estimates that approximately a quarter of individuals with an opioid use disorder (OUD) also use cannabis. While both buprenorphine and naltrexone are FDA-approved medications for the treatment of OUD, their specific impact on cannabis use has historically remained unknown. To explore this relationship, researchers sought to determine whether either extended-release naltrexone or subling
Oct 26
Explainer Videos
¿Qué es la adicción? | What is Addiction?
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
Oct 27
Datos sobre el fentanilo: comprender los riesgos | Facts About Fentanyl: Understanding the Risks
A medida que el fentanilo sigue afectando a las comunidades a un ritmo sin precedentes, comprender su potencia y sus peligros resulta fundamental para reducir los daños. Al crear conciencia y promover medidas que salvan vidas —como el uso de la naloxona—, podemos trabajar para prevenir sobredosis y salvar vidas. Este video explicativo destaca el alarmante aumento de los opioides sintéticos, como el fentanilo; los riesgos de sobredosis; la proliferación a nivel nacional de pas
Oct 27
Video: Adolescentes y Opioides | Teens and Opioids Explainer Video
Los opioides pueden representar riesgos graves para los jóvenes, por lo que la educación y la prevención temprana son más importantes que nunca. Proporcionar a los adolescentes información precisa y adecuada a su edad sobre los opioides y sus posibles peligros puede ayudarles a tomar decisiones informadas y a proteger su salud. El Addiction Policy Forum desarrolló Adolescentes y opioides, un video explicativo diseñado para crear conciencia sobre los opioides y la importancia
Oct 27
Video: 7 Cosas que Los Maestros Pueden Hacer para Prevenir La Adicción | 7 Things Teachers Can Do to Prevent Addiction Video
Los docentes desempeñan un papel fundamental en la prevención del consumo de sustancias y la adicción entre los jóvenes. Más allá de su labor educativa, ayudan a crear entornos de apoyo, establecer relaciones significativas y dotar a los jóvenes de los conocimientos y habilidades necesarios para tomar decisiones saludables. Las escuelas constituyen un entorno clave para la prevención. Al fomentar vínculos, promover estrategias de afrontamiento saludables, identificar posibles
Oct 27
Video: 12 Cosas que Los Padres Pueden Hacer Para Prevenir las Adicciones | 12 Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Addiction Video
La prevención comienza en el hogar. Los padres y cuidadores desempeñan un papel fundamental en la prevención del consumo de sustancias y en el fomento de un desarrollo saludable. En este video explicativo, Addiction Policy Forum presenta 12 estrategias prácticas, basadas en evidencia, que los padres pueden emplear para ayudar a proteger a sus hijos, fortalecer su resiliencia, promover habilidades de afrontamiento saludables y reducir el riesgo de adicción. Descubra pasos senc
Oct 27
Teens and Opioids Explainer Video
Opioids can pose serious risks to young people, making education and early prevention more important than ever. Providing teens with accurate, age-appropriate information about opioids and their potential dangers can help them make informed decisions and protect their health. The Addiction Policy Forum developed Teens and Opioids, a video explainer designed to raise awareness about opioids and the importance of preventing substance use among young people. Parents, educators,
Oct 15
7 Things Teachers Can Do to Prevent Addiction Video
Teachers play an important role in preventing youth substance use and addiction. Beyond educating students, teachers help shape supportive environments, build meaningful relationships, and equip young people with the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy decisions. Schools are an important setting for prevention. By fostering connections, encouraging healthy coping skills, recognizing potential warning signs, and providing accurate information about substance use, ed
Oct 15
12 Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Addiction Video
Prevention starts at home. Parents and caregivers play an important role in preventing substance use and supporting healthy development. In this video explainer, Addiction Policy Forum shares 12 practical, evidence-informed strategies parents can use to help protect their children, build resilience, encourage healthy coping skills, and reduce the risk of addiction. Explore simple, actionable steps you can incorporate into everyday family life to support your child’s health an
Oct 15
Home-Based Brain Stimulation for Cannabis Use Disorder with Dr. Leigh Charvet
As cannabis products become more widely available, many people continue to view cannabis as a low-risk or even therapeutic for managing health symptoms such as anxiety, pain, and sleep difficulties. However, growing evidence suggests that today's high-potency cannabis products may carry significant risks for cognitive health, mental health, and the development of cannabis use disorder. As researchers work to better understand these risks, there is also increasing interest in
Aug 31
Addiction Recovery: Processes, Mechanisms, and Models with Dr. John Kelly
Recovery from substance use disorders is a long-term process that extends beyond the initial stages of treatment. Clinical interventions can play an important role in helping individuals begin recovery, but the risk of recurrence may remain elevated for years. Sustained recovery also depends on continued support and environments that help people build healthy, stable, and meaningful lives. In this Ask the Expert video, Dr. John Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medica
Aug 28
Research You Can Use | Dr. Mark Gold
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...
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