Addiction Outlook

Psychedelics

Psilocybin for Cocaine Use Disorder

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 13, 2026

At long last, there may be a treatment for cocaine addiction—psilocybin. Apparently, psilocybin briefly disrupts and allows the brain to reset so therapy can penetrate and stick.

At long last, there may be a treatment for cocaine addiction—psilocybin. Apparently, psilocybin briefly disrupts and allows the brain to reset so therapy can penetrate and stick.

Addiction

Polysubstance Use Defines Substance Disorders Now

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 11, 2026

Most people do not use one drug, but many. SUDs often involve different substances, but the underlying problem is really one disease with multiple manifestations.

Most people do not use one drug, but many. SUDs often involve different substances, but the underlying problem is really one disease with multiple manifestations.

Addiction

Neuromodulation Addiction Treatments Move Home

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 7, 2026

Experts are already treating addicted people with at-home neuromodulation devices to control cravings, and the future is bright for such aids for people with substance use disorders.

Experts are already treating addicted people with at-home neuromodulation devices to control cravings, and the future is bright for such aids for people with substance use disorders.

Addiction

Medications for Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 1, 2026

Several million people are addicted to methamphetamines and also use tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, benzos, and opioids. Treatment is challenging. Mirtazapine could help.

Several million people are addicted to methamphetamines and also use tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, benzos, and opioids. Treatment is challenging. Mirtazapine could help.

Psychedelics

After an Executive Order on Psychedelics, What Comes Next?

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 27, 2026

Not legalization, but a removal of some barriers.

Not legalization, but a removal of some barriers.

Addiction

GLP-1s Like Ozempic May Be a New Treatment for Addiction

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 24, 2026

Could drugs like Mounjaro treat people with cannabis use disorder? They might. Preliminary research indicates they may stop cravings even before people trying to quit feel them.

Could drugs like Mounjaro treat people with cannabis use disorder? They might. Preliminary research indicates they may stop cravings even before people trying to quit feel them.

Harm Reduction

Wastewater Analyses for Real-Time Changes in Substance Use

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 20, 2026

Wastewater analysis can detect drugs in real time, allowing experts to inform emergency and other health providers and warn residents of new drug threats.

Wastewater analysis can detect drugs in real time, allowing experts to inform emergency and other health providers and warn residents of new drug threats.

Psychedelics

From Toad "Venom" Psychedelic to Potential Antidepressant

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 13, 2026

Psychedelic toad secretions and celebrity reports of psychological recovery from use intrigued researchers, who developed a synthetic version, now under study. It just may work.

Psychedelic toad secretions and celebrity reports of psychological recovery from use intrigued researchers, who developed a synthetic version, now under study. It just may work.

Addiction

Craving Drives Bad Decisions, Relapse, and Drug Use

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 9, 2026

Cravings affect addiction recovery and relapse. Treatment must help a person relearn healthy risk vs. benefit analyses to overwrite old reflexes.

Cravings affect addiction recovery and relapse. Treatment must help a person relearn healthy risk vs. benefit analyses to overwrite old reflexes.

Compulsive Behaviors

March Madness and the Rise of Gen Z Sports Gambling

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 3, 2026

March Madness greatly appeals to teenage boys and young men, caught up in the aura of gambling and masculinity. Yet few clinicians are aware of this major behavioral addiction .

March Madness greatly appeals to teenage boys and young men, caught up in the aura of gambling and masculinity. Yet few clinicians are aware of this major behavioral addiction .

Cannabis

There Are No Positives for Young Adult Cannabis Users

Mark S. Gold M.D. on March 30, 2026

Medicinal cannabis for young people is an oxymoron. Teens and young adults using cannabis have markedly increased risks of addiction, depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders.

Medicinal cannabis for young people is an oxymoron. Teens and young adults using cannabis have markedly increased risks of addiction, depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders.

Relapse

Sober for Several Years, Things Are Great and Then Relapsing

Mark S. Gold M.D. on March 23, 2026

Sometimes recovered alcoholics relapse back to drinking after years. What happened? Now we know.

Sometimes recovered alcoholics relapse back to drinking after years. What happened? Now we know.

Stroke

Young/Middle-Aged Drug Users Risk Stroke

Mark S. Gold M.D. on March 16, 2026

Young adults may suffer strokes when using cocaine, meth, and even cannabis, and the onset may be shortly after drug use and is directly linked to these drugs.

Young adults may suffer strokes when using cocaine, meth, and even cannabis, and the onset may be shortly after drug use and is directly linked to these drugs.

Relapse

What Is the Most Addictive Drug? Science May Have Some Answers

Mark S. Gold M.D. on March 12, 2026

When considering the drugs most likely to cause former addicts to repeatedly relapse, opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine stand out as the most dangerous.

When considering the drugs most likely to cause former addicts to repeatedly relapse, opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine stand out as the most dangerous.

Addiction

Carfentanil Was an Elephant Sedative. Now It's a Human Drug Problem

Mark S. Gold M.D. on March 5, 2026

Once used by vets to anesthetize elephants, carfentanil is now an extremely dangerous illicit drug often disguised as an oxycodone tablet—and it's 100 times stronger than fentanyl.

Once used by vets to anesthetize elephants, carfentanil is now an extremely dangerous illicit drug often disguised as an oxycodone tablet—and it's 100 times stronger than fentanyl.

Chronic Pain

Fibromyalgia, Pain, and Substance Use Disorders

Mark S. Gold M.D. on March 2, 2026

Between four and 10 million people in the U.S. have fibromyalgia. Many doctors look askance at the disorder, leading some patients to seek pain relief from substance use.

Between four and 10 million people in the U.S. have fibromyalgia. Many doctors look askance at the disorder, leading some patients to seek pain relief from substance use.

Addiction

A Global Glut in Cocaine Shocks the World

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 26, 2026

Cocaine has roared back worldwide, thanks to escalated coca cultivation and user demand. It has brought with it global overdose deaths.

Cocaine has roared back worldwide, thanks to escalated coca cultivation and user demand. It has brought with it global overdose deaths.

Addiction

AA and NA Were Right: Spirituality Decreases Addictions

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 21, 2026

A new worldwide study reports that spirituality significantly decreased substance abuse addiction and relapse, a belief Alcoholics Anonymous has held for many years.

A new worldwide study reports that spirituality significantly decreased substance abuse addiction and relapse, a belief Alcoholics Anonymous has held for many years.

Smoking

Smoking Fentanyl, Cannabis, Methamphetamine, or Tobacco

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 18, 2026

Some experts recommend smoking rather than injecting fentanyl to avoid needle-related diseases. But, smoking fentanyl is dangerous and can lead to second and third-hand exposures.

Some experts recommend smoking rather than injecting fentanyl to avoid needle-related diseases. But, smoking fentanyl is dangerous and can lead to second and third-hand exposures.

Gut-Brain Axis

GLP-1 Anti-Obesity Rx and Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 16, 2026

Researchers have discovered that drugs like Ozempic for diabetes and obesity also improve alcohol use disorders and other addictions. This is a stunning gut-brain breakthrough.

Researchers have discovered that drugs like Ozempic for diabetes and obesity also improve alcohol use disorders and other addictions. This is a stunning gut-brain breakthrough.