Sep 25, 2026
Scotland's attempts to lower its high rate of drug deaths are being hindered by the emergence of nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioids often sold as heroin. The deadly new drugs represent a significant challenge to addiction treatment efforts in the country.
New research shows alcohol-related cancer deaths in the United States have more than doubled over a 33-year period, with findings indicating that even one drink per day could increase cancer risk. The study reveals alcohol's impact extends across multiple cancer types, not just liver cancer.
After more than 105,000 annual drug overdose deaths from 2021-2023, deaths have begun declining, even as Republican lawmakers criticize the Biden administration's handling of the fentanyl crisis. House Oversight Chair James Comer called for former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to answer for the crisis.
A decades-long UK study reveals that millions of men with heart disease have an elevated risk of developing and dying from cancer. Researchers identified smoking, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption as the primary drivers behind the increased cancer cases in this population.
Young adults' use of vapes and cannabis hit all-time highs in 2025 according to survey results, while hospitals report a significant increase in nausea cases among frequent marijuana users.
A new CDC report reveals nearly 200,000 emergency room visits in the past year for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition causing severe nausea and vomiting in frequent marijuana users. The increase may reflect both rising cases and improved diagnostic coding.
A randomized controlled trial in Germany found that dronabinol, a cannabis-derived THC medication, significantly decreased nightmares in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder in a double-blind study published in Nature Medicine.
TikTok has agreed to settle three lawsuits brought by teenagers alleging the platform was designed to be addictive and caused mental health harm, with settlements finalized ahead of planned October trials. The cases are part of approximately 3,300 lawsuits against major social media companies including Meta, Google, and Snap.
The LiBBY clinical trial found that a combination of CBD and THC rapidly and significantly reduced agitation in hospice-eligible dementia patients, with nearly 90% of participants showing behavioral improvement in the nationwide study.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced more than $281 million in grant funding opportunities across 15 programs aimed at addressing addiction, overdose, and mental illness. The funding was made available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The overall U.S. death rate reached its lowest point on record in 2025, according to provisional federal data, primarily due to a significant drop in drug overdose deaths and reduced COVID-19 mortality. The decline marks a major reversal in public health trends.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Philip Morris permission to market its Zyn nicotine pouches as less harmful than cigarettes, allowing the company to market 20 variants of the product with modified risk claims.
STAT published 'The Deadliest Drug,' a major investigative series documenting how alcohol represents America's most enduring and overlooked drug crisis, with failures across medical, public health, industry, and government systems.
A clinical trial of 108 adults with obesity and alcohol use disorder found that once-weekly semaglutide injections reduced heavy drinking days in the past 30 days by an average of roughly 12 days, representing a 50% reduction compared to placebo.
President Trump has reclassified state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, marking a major federal policy change long sought by advocates. This represents the most significant shift in federal marijuana policy in decades.
A former Imperial Brands executive has been appointed to a senior CDC position, marking the latest example of tobacco industry influence in the Trump administration according to public health advocates.
Children born to mothers who used buprenorphine for opioid addiction during pregnancy show no greater risk of neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism compared to children whose mothers did not use the medication, providing reassurance about this critical treatment option.
Kratom-related poisonings have increased by 1,200% over the past decade, with proposals to ban or regulate the plant-based substance making headlines across the United States as lawmakers and regulators grapple with safety concerns.