Addiction Outlook

New understanding and treatments

Addiction
Reducing Personal Shame and Stigma Helps With Recovery

Mark S. Gold M.D. on June 11, 2025

Recovery from substance abuse is not about perfection; it's about resilience and growing, which includes helping others, finding meaning in life, and accepting oneself.

Recovery from substance abuse is not about perfection; it's about resilience and growing, which includes helping others, finding meaning in life, and accepting oneself.

Addiction
Where Is the Anti-Fentanyl Truth Campaign?

Mark S. Gold M.D. on June 8, 2025

Although fewer people are dying from drug overdoses, many still inject fentanyl and other drugs. We need programs to educate and prevent youth from IV- and polydrug use—and death.

Although fewer people are dying from drug overdoses, many still inject fentanyl and other drugs. We need programs to educate and prevent youth from IV- and polydrug use—and death.

Addiction
The Concerning Emergence of "Gas Station Heroin"

Mark S. Gold M.D. on June 3, 2025

Tianeptine, or “gas station heroin," is as potent and addictive as strong opioids and is often sold with 7-OH synthetics at convenience stores, vape shops, and online retailers.

Tianeptine, or “gas station heroin," is as potent and addictive as strong opioids and is often sold with 7-OH synthetics at convenience stores, vape shops, and online retailers.

Trauma
How Psychedelics Affected Nova Festival Survivors

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 29, 2025

In a new, one-of-a-kind study, researchers found that Israeli terror attack victims experienced fewer anxiety and trauma symptoms if they had taken psychedelics, but not other drugs.

In a new, one-of-a-kind study, researchers found that Israeli terror attack victims experienced fewer anxiety and trauma symptoms if they had taken psychedelics, but not other drugs.

Addiction
Abuse Drugs and Trends We’re Up Against in the U.S.

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 26, 2025

Overdose deaths are significantly down, but now cartels are adding new toxic adulterants like lidocaine, medetomidine, and xylazine to fentanyl and fentanyl to cocaine and meth.

Overdose deaths are significantly down, but now cartels are adding new toxic adulterants like lidocaine, medetomidine, and xylazine to fentanyl and fentanyl to cocaine and meth.

Anxiety
Let’s Get Kava-fied

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 19, 2025

Young adults are seeking non-alcoholic beverages to enhance mood, sociability, and decrease anxiety. Kava bars are meeting the demand.

Young adults are seeking non-alcoholic beverages to enhance mood, sociability, and decrease anxiety. Kava bars are meeting the demand.

Diet
Obesity Actually Changes Your Brain

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 16, 2025

Weightwatchers and bariatric surgery had limited effects on the obese brain, but GLP-1s like Ozempic may mean new hope in finally breaking the cycle.

Weightwatchers and bariatric surgery had limited effects on the obese brain, but GLP-1s like Ozempic may mean new hope in finally breaking the cycle.

Alcoholism
Women With Alcohol Use Disorder Have a Different Disease

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 12, 2025

Females with AUD are different than men with AUD, but most treatments were tested on men. Researchers are now looking at why women drink and what medications may help them.

Females with AUD are different than men with AUD, but most treatments were tested on men. Researchers are now looking at why women drink and what medications may help them.

Ketamine
Clubbing in Virtual Reality

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 9, 2025

The newest trend is virtual clubbing and "raving," dancing in virtual reality clubs for days, immersed in a virtual reality world with drugs, often alone.

The newest trend is virtual clubbing and "raving," dancing in virtual reality clubs for days, immersed in a virtual reality world with drugs, often alone.

Alcoholism
Naltrexone Is the Ozempic for Alcoholism

Mark S. Gold M.D. on May 1, 2025

Online companies marketing directly to consumers are selling naltrexone, Viagra, and Ozempic. Some studies show Ozempic itself may decrease alcohol abuse.

Online companies marketing directly to consumers are selling naltrexone, Viagra, and Ozempic. Some studies show Ozempic itself may decrease alcohol abuse.

Nootropics
Getting High the Cali Sober Way

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 25, 2025

Young adults are buying alcohol-free drinks offering a natural calm or high. These drinks may include adaptogens, herbs, mushrooms, nootropics, CBD, THC, and other ingredients.

Young adults are buying alcohol-free drinks offering a natural calm or high. These drinks may include adaptogens, herbs, mushrooms, nootropics, CBD, THC, and other ingredients.

Relapse
Why Language of Key Self-Help Groups Works

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 21, 2025

The fellowship and specific language of self-help groups help users avoid use and relapses while aiming for more than abstinence: deep psychological and behavioral transformation.

The fellowship and specific language of self-help groups help users avoid use and relapses while aiming for more than abstinence: deep psychological and behavioral transformation.

Addiction
“California Sober” or Abstinence

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 9, 2025

"California sober" refers to the belief that a person can abstain from their primary drug of abuse, but it's okay to use other drugs. Here's what experts think.

"California sober" refers to the belief that a person can abstain from their primary drug of abuse, but it's okay to use other drugs. Here's what experts think.

Alcoholism
Spring Break 2025: College Binge Drinking in Context

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 3, 2025

Media depictions of college students on spring break show wildly drunken students. Yet, researchers have found binge drinking is down considerably over previous periods. What's up?

Media depictions of college students on spring break show wildly drunken students. Yet, researchers have found binge drinking is down considerably over previous periods. What's up?

Compulsive Behaviors
March 2025 Sports Gambling Madness

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 1, 2025

Sports betting is a multi-billion dollar business—and it's growing. The Internet and smartphones allow young people, mostly men, to quickly bet on March Madness games.

Sports betting is a multi-billion dollar business—and it's growing. The Internet and smartphones allow young people, mostly men, to quickly bet on March Madness games.

ADHD
The New Amphetamine Crisis

Mark S. Gold M.D. on March 25, 2025

Increasing numbers of young adults in high-stress careers are turning to amphetamines to maintain their rapid pace. But these drugs are extremely dangerous when abused.

Increasing numbers of young adults in high-stress careers are turning to amphetamines to maintain their rapid pace. But these drugs are extremely dangerous when abused.

Addiction
7 Lessons From Celebrity Addiction Stories

Mark S. Gold M.D. on March 18, 2025

Celebrities with addiction often live their lives (and sometimes die tragically) in the public arena. Yet some have shown recovery is possible, providing life lessons on addiction.

Celebrities with addiction often live their lives (and sometimes die tragically) in the public arena. Yet some have shown recovery is possible, providing life lessons on addiction.

Back
Back
Find a Therapist
Back
Get Help
Back
Magazine
May 2025 magazine cover
May 2025
Why Your Quirks Are Your Superpowers

The brightest way to shine is by being fully, imperfectly yourself.

Subscribe Issue Archive
Back
Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.