Verified by Psychology Today

Addiction Outlook

New understanding and treatments

Health
Go Ahead, Drink Your Coffee

Mark S. Gold M.D. on March 20, 2025

Caffeine in coffee offers surprising health benefits, although energy drinks may be harmful. Here's what you need to know.

Caffeine in coffee offers surprising health benefits, although energy drinks may be harmful. Here's what you need to know.

Addiction
What We Can Learn From Celebrity Addictions

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.

Adolescence
Teenage Abuse of Cough Medicines and Promethazine

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 27, 2025

Recent surveillance indicates apparent renewed interest among teens in Dextromethorphan abuse, sometimes combined with other drugs. Parents and others should be on the alert.

Recent surveillance indicates apparent renewed interest among teens in Dextromethorphan abuse, sometimes combined with other drugs. Parents and others should be on the alert.

Smoking
Nicotine Pouch Products Get FDA Approval for Adults

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 24, 2025

The FDA approved the sale of Zyn nicotine pouches, which are increasingly popular with teens. But nicotine pouches cause addiction, as smoking and vaping also do.

The FDA approved the sale of Zyn nicotine pouches, which are increasingly popular with teens. But nicotine pouches cause addiction, as smoking and vaping also do.

Addiction
5 Common False Beliefs About Drug Use, Users, and Addiction

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 20, 2025

Researchers have debunked key beliefs about addiction, like that a person must hit "rock bottom" before having treatment or that teen drug use is just a rite of passage.

Researchers have debunked key beliefs about addiction, like that a person must hit "rock bottom" before having treatment or that teen drug use is just a rite of passage.

Cannabis
Calls to Reassess Cannabis Risks: New Research Reported

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 14, 2025

A new study shows risks for premature death associated with CUD. Others show increased memory problems, CUD, depression, bipolar illness, suicide, and addictions in youth users.

A new study shows risks for premature death associated with CUD. Others show increased memory problems, CUD, depression, bipolar illness, suicide, and addictions in youth users.

Cannabis
"Medical" Marijuana and Chronic Pain

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 6, 2025

Most states allow some form of "medical marijuana." It is especially popular with pain patients, many of whom do not have medical access to opioids.

Most states allow some form of "medical marijuana." It is especially popular with pain patients, many of whom do not have medical access to opioids.

Addiction
Why Most Doctors Don’t Order Addiction Meds

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

Only a tiny percentage of people addicted to alcohol or drugs take medication for it. Why not? It's complicated, but the approved medications are not blockbusters for alcohol use disorder.

Only a tiny percentage of people addicted to alcohol or drugs take medication for it. Why not? It's complicated, but the approved medications are not blockbusters for alcohol use disorder.

Alcoholism
The Best Way to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Mark S. Gold M.D. on January 20, 2025

While most attention on new treatments for alcohol use disorders (AUD) focuses on Ozempic, we take a second look at the old-safe-effective FDA-approved medications for AUDs.

While most attention on new treatments for alcohol use disorders (AUD) focuses on Ozempic, we take a second look at the old-safe-effective FDA-approved medications for AUDs.

Psychedelics
Easing End-of-Life Care With Shrooms

Mark S. Gold M.D. on January 15, 2025

Psilocybin from "magic mushrooms" has been found in studies to ease the depression and anxiety of individuals with cancer and terminal illnesses.

Psilocybin from "magic mushrooms" has been found in studies to ease the depression and anxiety of individuals with cancer and terminal illnesses.

Addiction
Neuromodulation in Addiction Treatment

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

Already approved for smoking and treatment-resistant depression, brain stimulation is being tested for multiple addictions such as alcohol and opioid use disorder.

Already approved for smoking and treatment-resistant depression, brain stimulation is being tested for multiple addictions such as alcohol and opioid use disorder.

Addiction
Top Findings on Addiction in 2024

Mark S. Gold M.D. on December 31, 2024

Researchers have made some surprising breakthroughs in psychedelics, psychiatry, and addiction research in 2024, benefitting addicts, their families, and the general public.

Researchers have made some surprising breakthroughs in psychedelics, psychiatry, and addiction research in 2024, benefitting addicts, their families, and the general public.

Addiction
Top 10 Addiction Research Articles of 2024

Mark S. Gold M.D. on December 30, 2024

Researchers in 2024 made unique and important discoveries that promise to help individuals suffering from addiction and their families.

Researchers in 2024 made unique and important discoveries that promise to help individuals suffering from addiction and their families.

Addiction
Cannabis Use Disorders in Teens and Adults

Mark S. Gold M.D. on December 22, 2024

Cannabis use disorder is a serious addiction in adolescents and adults, which experts believe is more common because many cannabis users use concentrates containing up to 90% THC.

Cannabis use disorder is a serious addiction in adolescents and adults, which experts believe is more common because many cannabis users use concentrates containing up to 90% THC.