Weight-Loss Drug Ozempic Shows Unexpected Promise for Addiction Treatment
A medication best known for helping people lose weight may soon reshape addiction treatment. New research published in the journal Addiction and reported by NPR found that people with alcohol use disorder who were prescribed semaglutide- sold under brand names Ozempic and Wegovy- had 50% lower rates of binge drinking. Among people with opioid use […]
What’s Happening With Addiction Treatment Coverage in 2026
Over the past year, significant federal policy shifts have created new challenges for addiction treatment access, leaving both patients and providers grappling with uncertainty. From federal changes in enforcement of key mental health parity rules to sweeping budget law impacts on Medicaid, the current environment has the potential to worsen an already fragile system of […]
As Therapy Costs Rise, Americans Turn to AI for Mental Health — But Experts Warn of Risks
Americans are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT for emotional support, companionship and even self-guided “therapy.” With OpenAI reporting more than 700 million weekly users and over 10 million paying subscribers, digital conversations with machines have become a mainstream part of daily life. For many, these tools fill a gap left by […]
New Year’s Resolution Reality Check: Why Sustainable Wellness and Recovery Require Realistic Goals, Not Perfection
Every January, millions of Americans pledge to reinvent themselves — to eat better, move more, drink less, meditate daily and somehow become entirely new people overnight. But as 2026 begins, experts say that the “all-or-nothing” mentality driving these wellness resolutions is exactly what makes them fail. According to a recent Associated Press report, evidence-based habits […]
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 […]
