Lead: Do US Adults View Drug and Alcohol Addiction as a Health Condition?Lead: Do US Adults View Drug and Alcohol Addiction as a Health Condition?
This Week in Addiction Medicine from ASAM
A research-focused news briefing summarising recent studies on public views of addiction as a health condition, treatment barriers, craving, and related health outcomes. It offers concise data snapshots that may inform clinical practice, policy debates, and personal understanding of addiction and recovery.
7:58•7 Apr 2026
Do People See Addiction as a Health Condition? Fresh Research Round-Up
Episode Overview
- Most US adults in the survey view addiction as a health condition, but disagreement is linked with less belief in medical treatment and medications.
- People who have struggled with addiction but are not in recovery, as well as those with lower education and income, are more likely to reject the idea of addiction as a health condition.
- Starting buprenorphine in people using fentanyl is complicated by fear of precipitated withdrawal, lack of standardised approaches, and easy access to fentanyl.
- Stimulant-induced psychosis is rare with prescribed use but far more common and severe with high-dose, non-therapeutic use.
- Providing rapid, on-site hepatitis C testing and treatment with peer support in opioid treatment programmes greatly increases treatment initiation compared with off-site referral.
“Asked if addiction is a health condition, 77% of US adults agree, 16% disagree, and 6% don't know.”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? This weekly news briefing from the American Society of Addiction Medicine gives you a rapid-fire tour of current research, all packed into a concise update that’s easy to fit into a busy day. Hosted by Zach Caruso, the episode walks through a series of recent studies, starting with a big-picture question: “Do U.S.
adults view drug and alcohol addiction as a health condition?” Using a Gallup sample, researchers found 77% agree that addiction is a health condition, 16% disagree, and 6% are unsure. The summary highlights how gender, education, income, and personal experience with addiction shape these views, and why disagreement may make people less likely to see treatment as medical and effective.
From there, you’ll hear about real-world challenges around starting buprenorphine in people using fentanyl, including fears of withdrawal and the lack of standardised initiation approaches. The importance of “compassionate and clear communication” between clinicians and people who use fentanyl stands out as a practical takeaway. Caruso then runs through new evidence on stimulant-induced psychosis, contrasting rare but concerning cases from prescribed stimulants with far higher rates linked to non-therapeutic, high-dose use.
He also summarises data comparing slow-release oral morphine and methadone for opioid use disorder, including treatment duration and mortality figures. The episode rounds out with studies on GLP-1 receptor agonists and substance use disorders, craving and decision-making in alcohol and cannabis use, brain connectivity patterns predicting opioid craving, and a “rapid HCV test and treat with peer support” model that greatly boosts treatment uptake in opioid treatment programmes.
If you’re interested in how evidence is shaping addiction care and policy, this short, research-focused briefing might give you plenty to think about on your next walk or commute. Which of these findings feels most relevant to your own recovery journey or support work?
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