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Addiction & Recovery

48 articles

From Popular Athlete to Recovery: Why High Schools Are Bringing Real Addiction Stories to Students

High schools are inviting speakers with lived recovery experience to combat substance abuse stigma.

Why Remote Addiction Treatment Is Breaking Down Barriers in Rural America

Renew Health expands telehealth detox services across New Mexico, making medically supervised withdrawal accessible to remote communities for the first time.

The Prescription Pill Problem: How a Medical Mistake Sparked America's Opioid Crisis

In the 1990s, pharmaceutical companies assured doctors that opioid painkillers weren't addictive. They were wrong—and millions of Americans paid the price.

How One Treatment Model Is Cutting Addiction Deaths by 8 Times the National Rate

A major addiction care provider just released data showing dramatically lower death rates and higher recovery success—here's what their approach reveals about what actually works.

Safe Injection Sites: Do They Actually Save Lives or Enable Addiction?

Cities are opening supervised injection facilities to reduce overdose deaths, but evidence is mixed and the debate reveals a fundamental clash over how to fight addiction.

The Hidden Connection: Why Treating Addiction Without Addressing Mental Illness Often Fails

Nearly 50% of people with serious mental illness also struggle with addiction—and treating just one without the other rarely works.

Why Behavioral Addictions Are Getting More Research Attention Than Ever Before

Scientists are shifting focus from just substance abuse to behavioral addictions like gaming and social media—here's what the research shows.

Why People Turn to Drugs and Alcohol—And What's Really Going On Underneath

Substance use often masks deeper pain like trauma, chronic stress, or unresolved loss—understanding these root causes is key to effective recovery.

Maryland's New Approach to Addiction Treatment: Why Treating the Whole Person Works Better

Maryland leads the shift from one-size-fits-all addiction treatment to integrated care that addresses mental health and substance use together.

New Federal Push to Fight Addiction: What the Great American Recovery Initiative Actually Means for You

The White House launched a major initiative to coordinate addiction treatment across federal agencies, but questions remain about how it will differ from existing programs.

What Happens During a Substance Abuse Evaluation—And Why It Matters

Wondering what to expect if you or a loved one needs a substance abuse evaluation? Here's what actually happens in this 2-hour assessment.

Why Opioids Are Considered the Most Addictive Drug—And What That Means for Your Brain

Experts rank opioids as the most addictive substances due to their rapid brain impact and severe withdrawal symptoms—here's the science behind why.

DBT: The Therapy That Teaches Your Brain to Handle Emotions Without Turning to Drugs

Dialectical behavior therapy helps people in recovery manage intense emotions through four core skills, reducing the urge to self-medicate.

Why Fentanyl Has Become America's Deadliest Drug—And Why You Should Know the Signs

Fentanyl is now involved in nearly two-thirds of all opioid deaths, often without users knowing they're taking it.

Why Military Service Members Struggle With Substance Abuse—And What Parents Can Do

New research reveals 34% of soldiers binge drink monthly, with prescription pain relievers being the most misused drugs among service members.

Ecstasy on Campus: Why College Students Are Drawn to MDMA and What You Need to Know

MDMA is present in college party culture, with students drawn to its euphoric effects, but the synthetic drug carries serious risks including contamination and withdrawal.

31.9 Million Americans Struggle With Drug Abuse—Here's How to Spot It in Someone You Love

One in nine Americans has used illicit drugs recently, making it crucial for families to recognize early warning signs before addiction takes hold.

The Microdosing Trap: Why This 'Productivity Hack' Could Lead to Full Addiction

Microdosing psychedelics is trending in Silicon Valley as a creativity booster, but experts warn it's a slippery slope to addiction with almost no scientific proof it works.

Why Snorting Drugs Hits Faster—And Why That's Dangerously Addictive

Snorting drugs bypasses the liver's initial filtering, delivering substances directly to the bloodstream for an instant high that fuels addiction.

From 'Just Say No' to Real Skills: How the DARE Program Evolved to Actually Help Kids

The famous DARE program ditched scare tactics for evidence-based lessons, shifting from simple 'no' messages to teaching real decision-making skills.

New Hampshire's Opioid Deaths Hit a 10-Year Low—Here's What Actually Worked

New Hampshire cut opioid deaths by 33% using a two-pronged strategy that other states are now studying.

Could This Rainforest Plant Help Break Opioid Addiction? What Research Shows So Far

Scientists are testing ibogaine, a compound from an African shrub, as a potential treatment for opioid addiction—but it's still experimental and controversial in the U.S.

The Matrix Model: Why This 16-Week Program Works Better for Stimulant Addiction

A structured 16-week outpatient program shows 27% better completion rates and 31% more drug-free results than standard addiction treatment.

Why 2026 Is the Best Time in History to Seek Addiction Recovery

Revolutionary advances in addiction science, personalized care, and reduced stigma are making recovery more accessible and effective than ever before.

Recovery Isn't One-Size-Fits-All: What a 5-Year Study Reveals About Real Success

A groundbreaking 5-year study shows recovery success depends on personalized approaches, not generic programs—here's what actually works.

What a 5-Year Study Reveals About Real Recovery From Addiction

A groundbreaking 5-year study shows recovery isn't just about staying sober—it's about rebuilding your entire life.

Why 9 Out of 10 People With Alcohol Addiction Skip Treatment—And What Actually Works

Only 7.9% of Americans with alcohol use disorder receive treatment yearly. New research reveals why engagement matters and what community programs do differently.

What Is Substance Use Disorder? A Clear Guide to Understanding Addiction

Substance use disorder affects 40.3 million Americans yearly, but understanding the 11 diagnostic criteria can help identify when casual use becomes addiction.

Over 107,000 Overdose Deaths in 2022—Here's How to Recognize the Warning Signs

Learn the critical signs of overdose and why immediate medical attention can save a life—respiratory failure is the leading cause of death.

Supporting a Loved One in Addiction Treatment: What Family Members Actually Need to Know

Family members often struggle with how to help during addiction treatment, but specific guidelines can make the difference between supporting recovery and accidentally hindering it.

Party Addiction Is Real—And It's More Common Than You Think

Going out occasionally is healthy, but when nightlife becomes compulsive and interferes with work, relationships, and health, it's a real addiction.

Understanding Withdrawal: Why Your Body Fights Back When You Quit Drugs or Alcohol

Your brain creates chemical imbalances to compensate for substance use—and when you quit, it needs time to readjust, causing withdrawal symptoms.

Rebuilding Your Life After Addiction: Why Home-Cooked Meals Matter More Than You Think

Simple home cooking—not fancy recipes—becomes a powerful recovery tool as your life stabilizes after addiction, offering nutrition and structure when you need it most.

When Federal Addiction Funding Vanishes and Returns: What Oregon's 24-Hour Crisis Reveals

Nearly $2 billion in addiction treatment grants were canceled then restored within 24 hours, exposing how quickly mental health services can hang in the balance.

Beyond Willpower: Why Connection—Not Discipline—Holds the Key to Recovery

New research reveals addiction isn't about lacking willpower—it's about avoiding emotional pain through substances instead of human connection.

Ohio Invests $10.9 Million to Help Incarcerated People Overcome Addiction

Ohio's groundbreaking jail-based addiction program has reached 49 facilities across 54 counties, using opioid settlement funds to break the cycle.

The New Face of Addiction Treatment: Why Doctors Are Ditching the One-Size-Fits-All Approach

New federal rules are making methadone more accessible, while telemedicine for addiction medications becomes permanent—but old-school clinic cultures are slow to adapt.

Dry January Actually Works—And the Benefits Last Way Beyond January

New research shows that taking a month off alcohol leads to sustained drinking reductions and health improvements that continue long after January ends.

Why One Alaska Clinic Is Giving Addiction Treatment Before People Go to Jail

A tribal clinic in Alaska is pioneering pre-incarceration addiction treatment after federal data showed 1 in 4 overdose deaths involve recently released inmates.

A Weight Loss Drug Is Showing Surprising Promise for Alcohol Addiction—Here's What We Know

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, is reducing alcohol cravings by over 50% in some patients—an unexpected discovery that could revolutionize addiction treatment.

Why Your Employer Should Care About Addiction Recovery Benefits in 2026

Nearly 50 million Americans struggle with substance use disorders, costing employers billions in lost productivity, absenteeism, and healthcare expenses.

The Fentanyl Crisis Is Turning a Corner—Here's What's Actually Working

Drug overdose deaths have plummeted 25% nationwide, with all 50 states showing recovery from the deadliest phase of the fentanyl crisis.

The Critical Gap After Treatment: Why the First Weeks of Recovery Need More Support

New research reveals people leaving jail or prison face up to 1 in 4 overdose deaths, with the most dangerous period being just two weeks after release.

Recovery Doesn't Always Mean Complete Abstinence—And That's Okay

New research shows that reducing substance use, rather than complete abstinence, can be a valid path to recovery with real health benefits.

Overdose Deaths Are Plummeting—Here's What's Actually Working

Overdose deaths dropped nearly 25% in 2025—the biggest decline in decades—thanks to expanded access to life-saving treatments and telehealth.

2025 Brings Major Shifts in How We Think About Addiction Recovery

New research reveals addiction treatment is moving beyond traditional models, with breakthrough therapies and technology reshaping recovery approaches.

Big Win for Addiction Recovery: Congress Renews Funding for Treatment Programs Through 2030

Federal addiction research shows promising signs as overdose deaths drop 17% while new treatment innovations get major funding boost.

A New Kind of Hospital Is Opening in Las Vegas—and It Could Change Addiction Recovery

Las Vegas Recovery Hospital fills a critical gap by treating both addiction and serious medical conditions under one roof.