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Research & Progress
Research projects and new science of note
APF Research Reports
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
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
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
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
Evidence-Based Interventions to Address the Opioid Epidemic
24 Strategies for State, County and City Implementation Addiction Policy Forum’s report, Evidence-Based Interventions to Address the...
Oct 4, 2022
Addiction Research Highlights
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
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
Medications to Treat Opioid Addiction Reduce Overdose Fatalities and Improve Patient Outcomes
In recent years, medications originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other weight-related conditions—such as semaglutide and liraglutide—are showing promise in treating substance use disorders (SUDs). These medications belong to a class of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and are marketed under brand names such as Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Victoza®, and Saxenda®. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the gut and brain that regulates
Nov 10
GLP-1 Agonists Show Promise in Treating Substance Use Disorders
In recent years, medications originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other weight-related conditions—such as semaglutide and liraglutide—are showing promise in treating substance use disorders (SUDs). These medications belong to a class of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and are marketed under brand names such as Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Victoza®, and Saxenda®. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the gut and brain that regulates
Nov 7
Nicotine Pouches, Cannabis, Vaping, and Hallucinogen Use Reaching Record Highs Among Young and Midlife Adults
According to the latest Monitoring the Future (MTF) Panel Study from the University of Michigan, young and midlife adults are reporting sharp increases in several emerging substance use behaviors, including nicotine pouches, cannabis, vaping, and psychedelics. For 50 years, MTF surveys nationally representative samples of 8th, 10th, and 12th-graders, tracking trends in youth substance use and following a subset of 12th-grade participants into adulthood. Today, the MTF Panel
Nov 7
New Study Shows Even Light Alcohol Use Increases Dementia Risk
A new study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine shows that any level of alcohol consumption can increase the risk of dementia. Researchers also found that tripling weekly alcohol consumption—whether from one to three drinks per week or three to nine—was associated with a 15% increased risk of developing dementia. In the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 550,000 adults between the ages of 56-72 years at baseline and genetic information from an additional 2
Oct 22
Explainer Videos
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 24, 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 17, 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 16, 2024
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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