Digital Therapy Revolution: Why AI Can’t Replace Human Mental Health Care
The Rise of AI “Therapists” Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming the new face of emotional support. In 2025, millions of people are turning to AI chatbots such as Replika, Woebot, and ChatGPT-style tools for what feels like therapy. They’re available 24/7, they don’t judge, and they don’t charge a fee. But as this digital therapy […]
AI Screening for Opioid Use Disorder Could Help Hospitals Save Lives — and Prevent Readmissions
A new NIH-supported clinical trial has found that artificial intelligence (AI) screening for opioid use disorder (OUD) is just as effective as clinician-led screening at generating referrals to addiction specialists — and may significantly reduce hospital readmissions. The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), marks a promising development in how hospitals […]
Rising Marijuana Use Disorders Among Older Adults
As America’s addiction landscape evolves, new federal data reveal an unexpected driver: adults over 26 are increasingly developing marijuana use disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, while tobacco use and prescription opioid misuse have declined, cannabis-related problems have surged in older […]
U.S. Birth Rate Decline: The Overlooked Mental Health and Substance Use Impact on Gen Z
The U.S. birth rate has been falling for over a decade, and the final 2024 CDC birth report confirms the trend remains entrenched. The total fertility rate (TFR) — the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime — is about 1.6, well below the replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain […]
