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The Latest News from Our Field

We curate a digest of the latest news in our field for advocates, policymakers, community coalitions and all who work toward shaping policies and practices to effectively prevent substance use and treat addiction. Sign up here to receive weekly updates straight to your inbox.

Gallup: US alcohol consumption remains at record low

A Gallup poll found that 54% of U.S. adults say they drink alcohol, remaining at a record-low for the second consecutive year.

CDC’s zombie programs struggle to survive

CDC has several programs that, despite receiving congressional appropriations, are functionally dead because the experts who did the work were laid off.

Trump nominates Heidi Overton for FDA

President Trump nominated White House health policy official Heidi Overton to be the next FDA commissioner.

Reimbursement for new peer support programs for families

The Administration for Children and Families added new peer support programs to the Title-IV Prevention Services Clearinghouse, allowing states to claim federal matching funds for the services.

Best practices for opioid fund management

A Health Affairs Forefront article outlines best practices to reduce problematic spending of opioid settlement funds.

Research News Roundup: August 27, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including a study demonstrating a consequential mismatch: autistic people with substance use disorders experience greater risks—including overdose and hospitalization—yet receive fewer substance-use services than comparable non-autistic patients. The study identifies both a previously understudied population and a potentially remediable treatment disparity, making a strong case for autism-adapted substance-use services.

New federal toolkit prioritizes “treatment first” approach

ONDCP, HHS, and HUD released a toolkit outlining strategies to address homelessness and addiction through a "treatment first" approach that rejects the research-supported "housing first" approach.

Monitoring the Future: Cannabis and vaping rates remain high among adults

An annual survey of U.S. adults 19-65 found that in 2025, adults reported using marijuana at or near record-high levels, while nicotine vaping also remained high among young adults.

Survey finds OTPs are implementing flexibilities

A survey of methadone clinics found that a significant share have implemented flexibilities from the 2024 rule changes, but the survey represented a small percentage of clinics nationwide.

Research News Roundup: August 20, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including a randomized trial that found digital cognitive behavioral therapy reduced drinking among people with alcohol use disorder who were not receiving conventional treatment. Participants using CBT4CBT reported more rapid reductions in drinking days, fewer heavy-drinking days, and stronger recovery scores than controls. The study addresses a critical treatment gap: most people with alcohol use disorder never enter formal care. If confirmed in larger trials, this readily scalable approach could substantially extend evidence-based treatment beyond clinics and reach people who might otherwise receive no help.

Senate passes stopgap funding bill delaying hemp and grant rules

The Senate passed a stopgap funding bill that includes provisions to delay implementation of hemp restrictions and the rule giving political appointees more power over federal grants.

FDA approves new flavored nicotine pouches

The Food and Drug Administration granted marketing authorization to four new flavored nicotine pouches from on! brand.

NPR: Insufficient addiction care, with sometimes deadly consequences

People with addiction often go to doctor’s offices, clinics, and hospitals and receive insufficient or no treatment, a missed opportunity to prevent overdose deaths.

D.C. budget battle over opioid funds

D.C. is planning to use opioid settlement dollars, rather than general budget, to pay for Medicaid costs and existing addiction treatment, sparking controversy.

Research News Roundup: August 13, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how executive-function difficulties help explain the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adolescent substance use. Using longitudinal data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, researchers measured ACEs at ages 9–11, executive-function deficits at ages 12–13, and substance use at ages 13–14. Executive-function deficits accounted for approximately 10% of the overall association between cumulative ACEs and subsequent substance use. The associations involved deprivation-based experiences as well as several threat-based experiences. Sexual abuse had a direct association with substance use that was not explained by executive-function deficits.

HHS secures insurer pledges for better MH/SUD care

The Trump administration secured voluntary commitments from the health care industry to support timely access to high-quality mental health and addiction treatment.

The Examination: Red Bull’s influence on energy drink research

An investigation found that Red Bull paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for research favorable to the energy drink industry, including to support the claim that consuming energy drinks and alcohol together was not harmful.

Military strikes fail to curb cocaine in the U.S.

According to a DEA assessment and current and former officials, the military strikes on alleged drug boats have not reduced the amount of cocaine entering the U.S.

Research News Roundup: August 6, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including a national study of opioid-related hospitalizations that found that although hospitalizations generally declined between 2016 and 2023, outcomes among those admitted became increasingly concerning. Analyzing data from 7.42 million hospitalizations, researchers found no comparable reduction among Hispanic or Native American patients, Medicaid beneficiaries, or adults over sixty-five. At the same time, the proportion of hospitalizations ending in death increased by 0.58 percentage points, while self-directed discharges rose by 2.68 percentage points.

NSDUH: 2025 substance use trends

SAMHSA released the results of the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual national survey that measures the prevalence of substance use, substance use disorder, treatment receipt, recovery, and other measures.

STAT: THC drinks skirt regulations

Often in violation of state law, THC beverages line the refrigerated sections of grocery stores and delis, often next to other beverages and in colorful cans.

KFF Health News: Unclear oversight of opioid settlement funds

With control of opioid settlement funds split among various entities in each state, it is often unclear who should take action on questionable expenditures.

House E&C advances bills to combat overdoses

The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced 8 bills aimed at preventing overdoses and curbing the illicit drug supply.

Research News Roundup: July 30, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including a study that reveals a troubling gap in adolescents’ understanding of fentanyl’s potentially lethal risks. Fewer than half of eighth-grade students surveyed considered experimenting with fentanyl once or twice to pose a great risk, while one-third did not regard even regular use as highly dangerous. Although perceived risk increased among older students, substantial racial and ethnic differences remained, with Hispanic eighth graders and Black tenth- and twelfth-grade students generally reporting the lowest levels of perceived risk. These findings demonstrate the need for clear, age-appropriate, and culturally responsive prevention-based education beginning before high school.

Former FDA scientist: FDA authorized Zyn despite microplastics concern

A former FDA scientist accused the agency of authorizing Zyn nicotine pouches without knowing what the pouches themselves are made of.
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