Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive substance seeking and use despite harmful consequences. It is associated with persistent brain and behavioral changes and often requires long-term management.
San Francisco's RESET Center opens Monday in SoMa to take in people found publicly using drugs or intoxicated. Officials have offered conflicting explanations about arrest status, detention, release rules and medication access.
Vermont insurers and employers are scaling back GLP-1 coverage as costs rise, leaving some patients without access. The drugs remain in high demand as studies point to benefits beyond weight loss.
A longitudinal study of 460,000 teenagers found adolescent cannabis use was linked to higher risks of later bipolar, psychotic, anxiety and depression diagnoses. Separate research and expert guidance say THC effects, especially long term, still need more study.
GLP-1 drugs are still being studied for Alzheimer’s and addiction after semaglutide failed to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. A 2025 abstract reported semaglutide slowed cognitive impairment in an Alzheimer’s model.
The UK is offering £20 million through Innovate UK to develop medicines, devices and digital tools for drug and alcohol addiction. Awards range up to £10 million for late-stage projects and up to £1.5 million for earlier-stage innovations, with applications closing on 6 May 2026.
A 34-person trial found that a single 21.5mg intravenous dose of DMT with psychotherapy produced rapid antidepressant effects lasting three to six months. Separate brain-scan research across five psychedelics found a shared pattern of weaker within-network links and stronger communication between brain networks.
New Zealand police arrested 11 people and seized drugs, cash, and firearms after uncovering a dark web drug import network, while Canadian police made a separate bust seizing cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. The New Zealand operation involved international cooperation and intercepted over 200kg of drugs at borders. The busts come as New Zealand data shows record-breaking cocaine consumption nationwide.
A study of over 600,000 patients reveals GLP-1 drugs may reduce addiction across multiple substances, with 50% fewer substance-related deaths and significant reductions in overdoses and hospitalizations. The drugs work by dampening dopamine signaling in brain reward centers. Researchers are exploring broader applications for these medications beyond diabetes and obesity treatment.
Clinical trials show psychedelic substances like psilocybin, LSD and MDMA combined with therapy can effectively treat depression, anxiety and addiction. Several substances are in Phase III trials, with esketamine already approved for treatment-resistant depression. Research suggests these treatments may work with fewer doses than traditional medications.
New research challenges the theory that ketamine's psychedelic effects drive its therapeutic benefits for alcohol use disorder. A study of 96 participants found no link between ketamine's psychoactive experiences and improved abstinence rates. The findings suggest other mechanisms, such as brain network alterations, may explain ketamine's effectiveness in treating addiction.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07596251 |
Support Towards Addiction Recovery for Individuals With Criminal Legal System Involvement: The STAR Project |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07595614 |
NLP Analysis of Weekly Narratives for Dynamic Clinical Assessment in SUD |
RECRUITING | |
| NCT07590154 |
Cross-sectional Functional Stratification Based on Psychometric Profiling and Machine Learning in Patients With Substance Use Disorders (SUD) |
COMPLETED | |
| NCT07585006 |
Comparative Evaluation of Nicotine Analogs |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07573345 |
Pain and Upper Extremity Function in Smartphone and Digital Game Addiction |
RECRUITING | |
| NCT07520617 |
Evaluation of the ADD'Pro Vocational Reintegration Program (ADD-PRO-EVAL) |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07510256 |
Effects of Breathwork and Meditation on Addiction Recovery |
COMPLETED | NA |
| NCT07495839 |
The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy on Mental Health and Addictive Behaviors in Patients Receiving Addiction Treatment |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07374666 |
The Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Based Program on Short- Form Video Addiction in Adolescents |
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07340554 |
Neuroimaging of Adolescent Cannabis Use Treatment |
RECRUITING | NA |
