Rainier Rehab Editorial Team

Five rural Arizona sheriff's offices will receive $2 million each to expand reentry services for formerly incarcerated individuals battling addiction.

Metro's Office of Internal Audit identifies governance gaps, interference in review process, and insufficient performance tracking in $23 million opioid settlement program

New TOPS initiative replaces scare tactics with evidence-based behavioral change strategies, video games, and graphic novels created by teens

Landmark global analysis reveals decriminalization doesn't raise use, but for-profit markets drive higher addiction rates and more potent products.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveils major funding package emphasizing faith-based recovery programs and evidence-based treatment for vulnerable populations.

UC San Diego researchers identify liver-based genetic markers for cocaine addiction, opening new avenues for medication development beyond brain-targeting approaches.

Eight new grant programs target child trauma, suicide prevention, and workforce development as part of the Great American Recovery Initiative.

FDA approves Rextovy, a new OTC naloxone nasal spray, broadening access to opioid overdose reversal medication as part of the Great American Recovery Initiative.

University of Southern California receives funding to launch its first clinical study of psilocybin-assisted therapy combined with mindfulness meditation for mental well-being.

Columbia County, New York releases its first comprehensive report tracking opioid settlement funds, revealing declining annual payments and detailed spending priorities for addiction treatment.

Rhode Island overdose deaths fell to 219 in 2025, a 50% decline from 2022, surpassing the state's 2030 reduction goal. Learn how harm reduction and naloxone distribution contributed.

For the first time since 2013, Massachusetts recorded fewer than 1,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2025, marking a nearly 60% decline from the 2022 peak.

A new federal Request for Information invites patients, providers and researchers to tell HHS which addiction programs work — with comments due July 5, 2026.

A randomized quadruple-blind trial found psilocybin-assisted therapy achieved 30% complete abstinence at 180 days vs 0% with placebo, with 72% reduced relapse risk.

Baltimore County unveils a transparent online dashboard allowing residents to monitor how opioid settlement funds are being used to combat the addiction crisis.

New UCLA research finds that California adolescents using drugs or alcohol face triple the suicide risk, with nearly half experiencing serious psychological distress.

State lawmakers pass bill to study psychedelic-assisted therapy, joining growing national movement to explore alternative treatments for substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

Federal scientists approve phase I study of mitragynine, opening new frontiers in opioid addiction research amid ongoing debates over kratom's safety and efficacy.

New research on 600,000+ veterans reveals GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy significantly reduce substance use disorders across alcohol, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine.

Landmark UC San Diego study reveals first decline in all four waves of overdose epidemic, driven by falling fentanyl deaths, while stimulant-related fatalities continue rising.

In a major policy shift, the FDA now advises that buprenorphine and methadone should not be withheld from patients taking benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants.

The Department of Veterans Affairs begins enrolling 80 veterans in a groundbreaking study combining MDMA with psychotherapy to treat co-occurring PTSD and alcohol use disorder.

While U.S. overdose deaths dropped 14% in 2025, Arizona, New Mexico and North Dakota saw sharp increases amid evolving drug supply threats.

University of Arkansas Medical Sciences convenes statewide summit as data reveals 60% of adolescents in substance use treatment have co-occurring mental illness.

Federal drug enforcement officials warn that illicit fentanyl increasingly mixed with veterinary sedatives and ultra-potent synthetic opioids is creating unprecedented challenges for overdose reversal.

Missouri hospital launches innovative pilot program providing medication and guaranteed virtual addiction appointments within 72 hours to rural patients with opioid use disorder.

Three dead and 25 exposed including 18 first responders in Mountainair, New Mexico, revealing the escalating risks of potent fentanyl analogs

Single dose of psilocybin with therapy support produced rapid, sustained reductions in suicidal thoughts among treatment-resistant patients

The Department of Veterans Affairs begins groundbreaking clinical trial testing MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans struggling with PTSD and alcohol use disorder, marking a significant federal investment in psychedelic medicine.

The Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition deploys distinctive purple dispensing boxes across Southwest Virginia, making life-saving naloxone freely available in communities with some of the state's highest overdose rates.

New research reveals how cAMP signaling in brain neurons drives GLP-1 weight loss effects, opening pathways to enhance addiction treatments.

University of Reading study finds single psilocybin dose reduces neuropathic pain for weeks and makes standard painkillers work better.

While overdose deaths fell 15% nationwide, Colorado and several Western states saw increases driven by fentanyl-methamphetamine combinations.

New real-world evidence shows extended-release buprenorphine significantly outperforms other medication-assisted treatments in preventing relapse and reducing healthcare costs.

Research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals rising barriers to timely care for adolescents with cannabis use disorder, with younger teens and males most affected.

University of Cincinnati study demonstrates that embedding addiction treatment into primary care residency training expands patient access and boosts physician confidence in treating SUDs.

University of Kentucky researchers find that experimental Alzheimer's medication MW150 could reduce brain inflammation and neural damage during alcohol withdrawal, potentially lowering relapse rates.

Maryland's new public dashboard tracks $747 million in opioid settlement funds, setting a new standard for accountability in how states distribute restitution dollars from pharmaceutical companies.

State ranks near bottom in national accountability as opioid settlement funds prove difficult to track

University of Maryland researcher secures federal grant to expand school-based addiction treatment access in underserved rural communities

New research from USC Keck Medicine reveals heavy marijuana smokers face 3.5 to 5 times higher risk of lung and head and neck cancers, raising questions as cannabis legalization expands.

KFF's new tracker reveals how the second Trump administration is reshaping federal mental health and substance use policy through law-and-order approaches and treatment-focused initiatives.

New UNSW research shows peer workers with lived addiction experience bring unique expertise that transforms treatment outcomes and client trust.

Federal agencies issue landmark guidance encouraging states to authorize pharmacist prescribing of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration unveils $281 million in funding across 15 grant programs to expand medication-assisted treatment, overdose prevention, and recovery services nationwide.

European Heart Journal Open proposes neurocardiometabolic framework linking addiction treatment with cardiovascular care through GLP-1 receptor therapies

APA's July 2026 journal issues highlight emerging evidence for digital health tools and telehealth in treating substance use disorders in underserved communities

Congress introduces IBOGAINE Act to protect veterans' access to psychedelic treatments for PTSD and addiction, building on Trump's executive order.

State awards opioid settlement funds to 12 organizations working to prevent substance use among school-aged children across Michigan.

DEA announces intent to temporarily place 7-hydroxymitragynine and related synthetic kratom compounds in Schedule I, targeting enhanced products while preserving natural leaf access.

New research reveals that rising temperatures significantly increase overdose mortality, with each degree of heat index elevation contributing to approximately 150 excess deaths annually.

Starting July 1, Connecticut becomes one of the first states to offer state-funded psilocybin therapy through a regulated medical program, with high demand already evident.

New report finds 90% of Kentucky's local opioid settlement funds remain unspent as overdose deaths continue, raising questions about accountability and urgency.

New state data reveals significant decline in opioid overdose deaths across Illinois, with Cook County and Chicago leading the reduction through expanded treatment access and harm reduction initiatives.

Imperial College London research published in Addiction journal reveals that emotional support and medical stability are key factors in successful opioid detoxification, challenging abstinence-only approaches.

New research reveals GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may significantly reduce opioid overdoses and alcohol intoxication rates.

Nonprofit organizations across the US received termination letters canceling SAMHSA grants that fund overdose prevention, naloxone distribution, and recovery support services.

NIH-funded JAMA study shows extended-release buprenorphine outperforms daily pills in pregnancy, offering new hope for maternal and infant outcomes.

A powerful veterinary tranquilizer mixed with fentanyl is causing excruciating, complex withdrawal symptoms that many correctional facilities are unprepared to handle.

Louisiana's groundbreaking pilot program will use opioid settlement funds to research psilocybin, ibogaine, and MDMA as treatments for addiction and mental health conditions.

Senators Markey and Paul reintroduce legislation to expand methadone access by allowing board-certified addiction specialists to prescribe the medication for pharmacy pickup.

Landmark Canadian study shows take-home naloxone kits prevented nearly 4 in 5 fatal overdoses from 2019-2024, offering evidence for harm reduction strategies

Research finds semaglutide combined with cognitive behavioral therapy reduces alcohol cravings more than therapy alone, suggesting new approach to addiction treatment

New CDC data reveals 9,651 drug overdose deaths in U.S. hotels and motels from 2022-2024, with bystanders present but failing to respond in most cases.

Missouri county announces distribution of opioid settlement money to nine local organizations for prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

LA County reports 2,298 accidental drug overdose deaths in 2025, down 6% from previous year and 29% from 2022 peak, driven by harm reduction investments

North Carolina's Wake County invites residents to help shape how opioid settlement funds will be invested over 17 years to combat the overdose crisis

As New Mexico records the nation's highest overdose death increase, a whistleblower reveals DEA agents permitted massive fentanyl shipments to build larger cases.

FDA priority review vouchers could bring first psychedelic-assisted therapies to market within months, potentially transforming treatment for depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders.

Cabarrus County has no teen substance use treatment services. New state funding aims to change that as overdose ER visits jump 67%.

A bright green and blue bus is bringing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder to underserved communities in Alamance County.

CDC provisional data shows 69,147 predicted overdose deaths for the 12 months ending January 2026, a 13.2% decline as naloxone access and treatment expansion show measurable impact.

Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority announces largest funding round to date, supporting prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction initiatives across the Commonwealth.

Super-potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes are flooding the U.S. drug supply, causing hundreds of deaths and overwhelming harm reduction efforts.

State insurance regulators find Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, ConnectiCare, and UnitedHealthcare systematically underpaid mental health providers and restricted access to care.

Researchers create a new class of compounds that activate serotonin receptors linked to brain healing without causing hallucinations, potentially opening addiction treatment to broader populations.

MSDH becomes one of few state health departments offering direct clinic-based SUD care, using technology to identify risk earlier and reduce barriers.

New NIH-funded research shows oral GLP-1 drugs like orforglipron reach the central amygdala, opening potential pathways for treating substance use disorders.

Law enforcement reports fentanyl increasingly combined with xylazine, medetomidine, nitazenes and cychlorphine—substances that resist naloxone reversal.

First randomized double-blind study in Sweden finds psilocybin provides clinically meaningful depression relief within days, with 53% remission rate at six weeks.

Senate Bill 249 decriminalizes drug paraphernalia possession and expands sterile supply distribution, sparking disagreement over public safety and addiction treatment approaches.

UC San Francisco and Imperial College London researchers discover that one 25mg dose of psilocybin creates measurable anatomical brain changes lasting at least a month.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel unveils comprehensive spending guidance and public reporting tools to ensure opioid settlement funds reach communities in need.

Despite rapid expansion of telehealth mental health services, a major JAMA study reveals only modest gains in reaching rural and underserved patients.

State auditor finds Arizona Department of Corrections may have unlawfully spent opioid settlement money without proving inmates contracted hepatitis C from IV drug use.

CDC reports nearly 70,000 overdose deaths in 2025, a 14% drop and the longest sustained decline in decades, though challenges remain in several states.

As overdose deaths finally begin to fall, a new class of ultra-potent synthetic opioids is emerging in the US drug supply, presenting unprecedented challenges for detection and treatment.

A legal battle over Philadelphia's plan to use opioid settlement funds for neighborhood revitalization raises fundamental questions about how communities should spend billions in recovery dollars.

Achieve Life Sciences assembles veteran pharmaceutical leadership team from Verona Pharma ahead of FDA decision on cytisinicline, the first novel smoking cessation therapy since 2006.

NIH-funded research reveals how oral GLP-1 medications penetrate deep into brain reward circuits, offering new pathways for treating substance use disorders beyond weight loss.

CDC study reveals gabapentin detection in overdose deaths increased significantly, with 85-90% of cases also involving opioids

Kentucky reports lowest overdose death toll since 2014, with 1,101 fatalities representing 50% decrease from 2021 peak

New research reveals 21% of opioid overdose survivors experience repeat overdoses within a year—far exceeding previous estimates—as fentanyl transforms the crisis landscape.

Forty-two addiction specialists establish consensus best practices for initiating medications for opioid use disorder in hospitals, adapting protocols for the fentanyl era.

Research identifies novel mechanism where oral GLP-1 medications penetrate deep into brain's reward center, opening potential pathways for treating addiction

JAMA study finds psychedelic-assisted therapy produced higher abstinence rates and longer relapse prevention than standard treatment

State commission recommends expanding low-barrier treatment and harm reduction as xylazine gives way to medetomidine in the illicit drug supply.

Tennessee becomes latest state to legalize FDA-approved ibogaine research, joining Texas and Arizona in studying the psychedelic for PTSD and opioid addiction treatment.

New Hampshire will receive $29.5 million over 10 years from the Purdue Pharma settlement to fund prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.

Texas is developing a medical psilocybin program to treat depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, with support from Trump's executive order and FDA fast-tracking.

FDA grants Fast Track designation to CS-1103, a first-in-class molecule that binds and clears fentanyl from the body, potentially revolutionizing overdose treatment.

The White House releases its 2026 National Drug Control Strategy, introducing controversial new surveillance tools and emphasizing faith-based approaches to addiction treatment.

Landmark settlement bans Sackler family from U.S. opioid sales permanently and delivers $7.4 billion for addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery over 15 years.

American Hospital Association urges federal investment in loan repayment and training programs to address severe provider shortages affecting 75% of rural health professional shortage areas.

Trump administration reverses harm reduction policy, prohibiting federal funds for drug testing supplies and sterile syringes while emphasizing abstinence-based recovery approaches.

NIH-funded trial shows GLP-1 drug combined with cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduces heavy drinking days in patients with alcohol use disorder and obesity.

Trump administration's new drug control strategy includes national wastewater monitoring, artificial intelligence cargo screening, and expanded faith-based treatment options.

Allegheny County's innovative program uses GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy to reduce substance use and keep parents with their children.

Trump administration's new SAMHSA guidance blocks federal funds for fentanyl test strips, syringes, and smoking supplies while allowing naloxone and wound care.

Local governments in South Dakota have spent less than half of $9.6 million in opioid settlement funds, raising questions about accountability and effective crisis response.

Despite federal relaxations, Wisconsin's restrictive methadone regulations force patients to visit clinics seven days a week, creating barriers to treatment access.

Georgia's Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust launches Year 3 funding with $20 million in grants, bringing total allocation to $90 million for addiction treatment and prevention.

New research shows natural disasters disrupt access to buprenorphine and methadone, prompting calls for emergency policy reforms to protect patients in recovery.

New research reveals 40% of Americans face mental health provider shortages, with rural and low-income communities hardest hit. States respond with loan repayment programs, pipeline initiatives, and data-driven workforce planning.

Innovative 'Health to Go' vending machine in Millersburg offers free naloxone, drug checking strips, and health supplies while connecting users to community services through an interactive touchscreen interface.

Kentucky's Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission announces largest settlement distribution yet, funding prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the state.

Togus VA Medical Center opens Maine's first residential substance use disorder program for veterans, ending years of out-of-state travel for inpatient care.

Agency accelerates regulatory action on psilocybin, methylone, and noribogaine following Trump executive order, issuing priority vouchers and clearing Phase 1 studies.

In a historic first, the FDA clears DemeRx's noribogaine hydrochloride for Phase I study, marking the first US clinical trial of an ibogaine-derived compound for addiction treatment.

Tens of thousands of individuals harmed by OxyContin will receive nothing from Purdue's $7.4 billion bankruptcy settlement after strict eligibility changes and documentation requirements.

State Department deploys economic sanctions against sophisticated supply chain providing precursor chemicals to Sinaloa Cartel, implementing Executive Order designating fentanyl as Weapon of Mass Destruction.

Leaked details reveal DEA plans to limit telehealth prescriptions for controlled substances, requiring 50% in-person visits and affecting buprenorphine access for opioid use disorder treatment.

Study of 600,000 U.S. veterans finds GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy associated with dramatic reductions in substance use disorder complications, overdoses, and deaths.

White House drug policy leaders meet with DHS, DOJ, and intelligence agencies to align operations against fentanyl trafficking and sign updated committee charter.

New research reveals 20% of U.S. pharmacies refuse to dispense buprenorphine, creating critical barriers to opioid addiction treatment despite federal expansion efforts.

New Jersey will receive $1.1 billion through 2038 from opioid settlements, with funds split between state programs and 262 local governments.

President Trump signed an executive order accelerating psychedelic drug research, directing FDA priority vouchers, Right to Try access, and $50 million in federal-state partnerships.

After years of delay, Mississippi lawmakers finally appropriated opioid settlement funds—but the process exposed deep tensions between community input and political control.

Missouri legislators cut $3 million from naloxone distribution programs, sparking debate over whether lifesaving harm reduction measures have become victims of their own success.

New transparency tool reveals patients face 24-83% fewer in-network options for mental health care, while clinicians earn 16-59% less than physical health providers.

New Pew research reveals 40% of Americans face provider shortages, with rural counties three times more likely to lack psychologists. States respond with loan repayment and pipeline programs.

DEA reports tenfold increase in carfentanil seizures as Chinese precursor crackdown pushes Mexican cartels toward deadlier alternative.

CDC MMWR report reveals 44 cases of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, predominantly affecting adults using substances or experiencing homelessness.

New JAMA study shows Medicaid expansion significantly increased access to buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, with Oklahoma seeing 43% drop in overdose deaths.

White House prepares executive order to fund research into ibogaine for PTSD and traumatic brain injury, potentially opening new avenues for addiction treatment research.

Federal funding cuts to SAMHSA grants put overdose prevention, naloxone distribution, and peer recovery programs at risk across the United States.

Grocery chain settlement brings Colorado's total opioid settlement recovery past $912 million as state continues negotiating injunctive relief terms with remaining defendants.

Agency will now require only one adequate clinical trial supported by confirmatory evidence, a change officials say reflects advances in biomedical science and could accelerate development of addiction treatments.

CDC data shows historic 37% decline in drug deaths since 2023 peak, but medetomidine, cychlorphine, and nitazenes threaten progress.

ONDCP, SAMHSA, and HUD launch two-day summit to develop national toolkit for treating substance use disorders among homeless populations.

Drug 5-10 times more potent than fentanyl detected in Georgia and Missouri, as new study reveals standard naloxone doses may be insufficient for reversing synthetic opioid overdoses.

With PDUFA date set for June 20, 2026, cytisinicline could become the first novel smoking cessation pharmacotherapy approved by FDA in nearly 20 years.

Lykos Therapeutics slashes workforce by 75% after Complete Response Letter reveals FDA concerns about trial design and durability, forcing psychedelic research firms to reconsider regulatory strategy.

Iowa launches competitive grant program directing 75% of opioid settlement funds toward prevention, treatment, and recovery services across the state.

Phase 3 study of 339 adults finds cheap, widely available medication cuts meth use by seven days per month, offering first pharmacological treatment option for stimulant use disorder.

State health officials announce two-year spending plan prioritizing disproportionately impacted populations, room and board assistance for residential treatment, and naloxone distribution as overdose deaths decline 42.5%.

Federal health officials alert providers to medetomidine, a potent animal sedative spreading through the illegal opioid supply, causing naloxone-resistant overdoses and life-threatening withdrawal.

National Institute on Drug Abuse researchers transform a dangerous synthetic opioid class into a potential therapeutic, creating a compound that relieves pain without causing tolerance, dependence, or fatal overdose risk.

Explore the various addiction treatment options available, from detox and inpatient rehab to outpatient programs and aftercare support.

New clinical criteria establish age-specific guidelines for patients under 18 and transition-aged youth 16-25, emphasizing family involvement and developmentally appropriate care.

New rapid test detects fentanyl at 7 picograms per milliliter, approaching lab-grade sensitivity in a field-deployable strip that could reshape harm reduction and forensic toxicology.

More than 15 clinical trials are testing whether semaglutide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists can reduce cravings by altering dopamine pathways in the brain's reward system.