Understanding Overdose Spikes
Imagine you’re a public health official in Massachusetts. After weeks of routine overdose data reporting, a sudden spike in deaths hits your desk: an alarming five extra fatalities in just… Read More
Category: mental health
Can Telehealth Bridge the Gap in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment? For Medicaid Patients, the Answer is Complicated
Imagine this: A single mother in Illinois struggles to balance work, childcare, and her battle with opioid use disorder (OUD). The COVID-19 pandemic, which upended daily life for millions, seems… Read More
The High Stakes of Problem Gambling
A colleague and I were talking about an assessment process, and someone raised a good question. Are all types of gambling equal? That is, are problem gambling rates the same… Read More
January 2025 Marks SAMHSA’s First Annual SUD Treatment Month
The start of a new year often inspires change, and this January, SAMHSA launches its first annual Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Month to emphasize hope, recovery, and action. Each… Read More
The Global Toll of Alcohol: New Insights into a Persistent Public Health Crisis
To kick off Dry January, let’s look at the impact of alcohol. Three million deaths and 131 million years of lost healthy life every year. This is the staggering global… Read More
What If We Could Predict the Perfect Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder?
Imagine a future where every person struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) could be matched with the treatment most likely to work for them—saving lives, reducing relapses, and offering hope… Read More
A Closer Look at Gambling Harms and the Power of Peer Support
Imagine feeling trapped in a cycle where the harder you try to escape, the more stuck you become. For many people experiencing gambling-related harms, this cycle isn’t just about losing… Read More
Firearm Storage Practices, Mental Health, and Suicide Risk Among Service Members
2021 marked a record high in firearm-related suicides in the U.S., with service members and veterans profoundly impacted by these numbers. Recent studies have spotlighted the connection between firearm ownership,… Read More
How Fantasy Worlds and Authenticity Shape Adolescent Media Preferences
In a world where screens dominate almost every facet of adolescent life, the 2024 Teens and Screens report offers an insightful look into how American teens and young adults navigate… Read More
Leisure Activities, Resilience, and Happiness: A Positive Chain Reaction
Imagine taking a break from your busy day to stroll through the park, play a pickup game of soccer, or even enjoy a quiet moment with a good book. While… Read More
Cancer and Cannabis: A Connection?
As cannabis continues to shift from its once-taboo status to mainstream acceptance, public health experts are grappling with an important question: What are the long-term health risks of recreational cannabis… Read More
Increasing Access to Life-Saving Opioid Treatment in Criminal Justice Settings
In the fight against the opioid epidemic, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) have emerged as powerful tools to save lives. Yet, for individuals entangled in the criminal justice system,… Read More