Substance Abuse and Addiction News

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.

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

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.

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.

December 28, 2022 — A look at how parents whose adult children have substance issues can navigate the holiday season.

December 27, 2022 — An inexpensive overdose-reversal drug in nasal spray form is being fast-tracked by the FDA for consideration to be sold over-the-counter.

December 21, 2022 — The Drug Enforcement Administration seizures – 50 million pills that look like popular prescriptions and 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder – were enough for 379 million fatal doses.

December 19, 2022 — A public awareness campaign urging parents to talk with their children about the dangers of the opioid fentanyl will roll out this week on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms owned by Meta.

November 14, 2022 — More than 3 million middle and high school students said they used tobacco products in the last 30 days, the CDC reports. That’s 11.3% of students surveyed.

November 9, 2022 — Marijuana use increased significantly during the pandemic in states where it is illegal and also in states where medical marijuana is legalized, according to the findings of a new study.

November 4, 2022 — A majority of states have approved cannabis to treat 42 diseases and conditions. And yet it remains a federally designated Schedule I drug (for now), with “no accepted medical use” and “high potential for abuse.” So, is it a scourge, a savior, or something in between?

October 18, 2022 — A study linked “fear of missing out” to misconduct, drug and alcohol use, and breaking the law among college students – adding to growing research on the potential harms of FOMO.

November 23, 2021 — And although alcohol use has risen in men and women, a growing body of research points to a growing trend of alcohol use in women -- especially young women.