Substance Abuse and Addiction News & Features

February 2, 2024 — A new CDC report says synthetic cannabis has been found in some “gas station heroin” products, which are often marketed as mood-boosting supplements that can help with alertness or energy.

January 4, 2024 — Reports of the use of fentanyl along with the animal tranquilizer xylazine makes preventing substance use disorder and associated overdose deaths even more complicated.

December 21, 2023 — The FDA has approved the first test that uses DNA to assess if people might have a higher risk of becoming addicted to opioids.

December 18, 2023 — What to know about the health risks of the drug ketamine following Friends star Matthew Perry's death.

November 28, 2023 — A small case study of people taking the popular weight loss drug semaglutide showed that they experienced a significant reduction in symptoms of a preexisting addiction to alcohol.

September 22, 2023 — A couple of drinks does not give you “beer goggles” that make other people look more desirable, a new study found. But being tipsy may make you more eager to approach an attractive stranger.

September 7, 2023 — Canada’s legalization of recreational marijuana in 2018 is linked to a dramatic increase in marijuana-related traffic injuries resulting in treatment at an emergency department, a new study shows.

September 6, 2023 — Delta-8 products have spread into vape shops, gas stations and other retailers, but are these products safe for use?

September 1, 2023 — Overdose deaths from counterfeit prescription pills more than doubled in recent years, the CDC reported.

August 30, 2023 — Three pharmacy chains will start selling Narcan, without a prescription starting next month, the companies say.

August 21, 2023 — How cutting-edge science is leading the charge against a rising public health crisis.

August 18, 2023 — Young adults reported the highest ever rates of marijuana use in 2022, and middle-age adults reported the highest ever rates of binge drinking, according to results from an annual study.

August 17, 2023 — Americans are more worried about drug use in the U.S. – specifically, fentanyl and other opioids, according to a new opinion poll.

August 15, 2023 — Results from a new survey show that drug and alcohol addiction is commonplace in U.S. families. Two-thirds of people said they or someone in their family has experienced addiction or overdose.

June 23, 2023 — There is no such thing as a "smart pill." In fact, nonmedical use of prescription stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin by people without a prescription can lead to unintended outcomes, including poorer grades and substance abuse.

It’s now possible to buy naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal nasal spray medication, without a prescription. Learn why doctors say it should be in your first aid kit.

June 13, 2023 — In addition to suppressing appetite, in some people, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists like semaglutide may curb cravings for alcohol or cigarettes, according to reports not yet backed up by research.

May 18, 2023 — The surge in drug overdose deaths in the U.S. during the first 2 years of the pandemic appears to have stabilized. Overdose deaths in 2022 totaled an estimated 109,680 people, which is 2% more than the 107,573 deaths in 2021.

May 17, 2023 — The federal government will, for the first time, bankroll a study on the effectiveness of overdose prevention sites, according to an announcement May 8.

May 5, 2023 — A new study says as many as 30% of schizophrenia cases among young men could have been prevented if they had avoided marijuana.

April 28, 2023 — Many Americans use vapes to quit smoking cigarettes. But because of nicotine levels of e-cigarettes, patients also may need help quitting the unauthorized cessation tools.

April 21, 2023 — Emergent said its goal is to make the OTC retail price “consistent” with the price the company charges public interest groups, which averages less than $50 per package. But the actual retail price will be set by individual retailers.

April 12, 2023 — The action comes on the heels of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warning about a sharp uptick in trafficking and overdoses of fentanyl combined with what is more commonly known as “tranq” or “zombie drug.”

April 6, 2023 — They may have found a new way to help treat people with alcohol poisoning.

March 29, 2023 — The opioid overdose-reversal drug Narcan has been approved for over-the-counter use by the FDA, the agency announced Wednesday morning.

February 22, 2023 — Researchers have discovered that a medicine used to treat itchy skin can help control Alcohol Use Disorders, according to a new study.

February 15, 2023 — The strips are simple to use and effective. When dipped in water that contains dissolved drug residue, the strips indicate immediately whether trace elements are contained in a substance, such as heroin, cocaine, or ecstasy.

February 15, 2023 — A medicine used to treat people with severe alcohol disorders could also be helpful for others against binge drinking, a study says.

January 18, 2023 — Drinking “mocktails” and other non-alcoholic beverages might be a trigger for people who have moderate to severe alcohol use disorder and can’t stop or control their alcohol use, experts say.

What does it mean to “enable” someone’s addiction, and are you doing it? Learn the signs and how to stop it, for your loved one’s good.

New York City’s two sites have intervened in hundreds of overdoses, but significant challenges confront other locations hoping to provide the same services.

Harm reduction is a nonjudgmental approach to protecting people with addiction. These programs give people the tools and support they need to get better. And it can save their lives.

Marijuana Anonymous is a 12-step program that helps chronic users nip addiction in the bud.

How do you manage pain if you've had a problem with addiction? Learn your options and how to work with your doctor.

There are ways to find quality treatment centers for alcohol or drug addiction. Here’s how to get started.

Getting sober isn't one-size-fits-all. People who've made the decision to quit drinking share what worked for them.

Coping skills and rebuilding relationships after recovering from opioid addiction.

Drinking alcohol is becoming less of a social norm and more of a lifestyle choice. Learn how others chose to get sober, ways to handle tricky social situations, and find fulfilling new habits.

It can be scary to share your alcohol use disorder with family and friends. But it's an important step in your recovery. Here’s how to approach these conversations.

If you’ve battled a drug or alcohol addiction, you may be nervous about taking medications that treat pain, such as opioids. Learn more about the options you might have and how to weigh them.

Treatment for alcohol use disorder isn't just 12-step programs. Medication can help people who want to stop drinking or drink significantly less.

Yes, you can celebrate without a drink. How to mark an occasion without popping a cork.

Find out what an addictive personality is and whether you might have one.

How can you tell whether regular drinking is actually problem drinking? "High-functioning alcoholics" may not seem to need help at first.

Don't let challenges of daily life derail the hard work you did in rehab. Learn how to build a support network and make wise choices.

When you can’t kick drugs or alcohol, special hospitals -- known as rehabilitation facilities (rehab for short) -- may be your best bet.

If you have a parent with alcoholism, you may struggle with feelings of sadness, shame, and low self-esteem. Here’s how to get help.

New illicit drugs with psychedelic properties seem to pop up every month. Research into legitimate uses for psychedelic drugs may help explain why many people risk their lives to take black-market drugs.

Writer and performer Carrie Fisher talks about her experiences with bipolar disorder and addiction -- plus what it's like to reach a happier middle age.