8th April 2026
Poor Sleep Linked to Emotional Struggles in Sobriety
Sleep problems may play a larger role in alcohol addiction recovery than previously understood, according to new research examining how rest, mood, and brain activity are connected. A study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that people living with alcohol use disorder who struggle with sleep tend to experience more emotional struggles, including stronger negative emotions and distinct patterns of brain activity linked to stress and repetitive thinking. The findings suggest that improving sleep could help stabilize mood during recovery, even if it does not directly reduce cravings for alcohol. This could have very exciting implications for addiction rehab and treatment interventions.
Read the Legal Reader article Here
7th April 2026
BBC Report Highlights Links Between Depression Drugs and Gambling Addiction
The fast-paced world of today has resulted in rapid developments in the addiction therapeutics field, with humans sometimes finding themselves unable to keep up. As a result, many have been experiencing mental health issues, varying from minor ones to more serious ones. While there is medicine available, studies show that some of it could have serious side effects, including excessive gambling. In the latest episode of its The Global Story series, BBC explored the matter.
Read the Gambling News article Here
6th April 2026
The DJ course bringing light to people in addiction recovery
A new DJ course for former addicts, a novel form of addiction rehab, has been helping them to foster connections and community – something participants said was “paramount” to their recovery. Alex Mac, who took part in the six-week course at sober bar Arc Bristol, said it had been a “fantastic” addition to his recovery and had inspired him to get back into making music. “I feel uplifted by music. It just lights up something in me,” he said. The course was started by the charity Bristol Drugs Project and led by DJ Milly, better known as Milly on Air, who came up with the idea following a boom of sober spaces across the city.
Read the BBC News article Here
5th April 2026
Youth drug use is down, but overdoses have risen. One town’s schools have a possible solution
Michael Robertson struggled in school almost from the very beginning. But it was in seventh grade, when he started smoking cigarettes and drinking, that school seemed to become nearly unbearable to him. “There was always an excuse for why he couldn’t go to school,” said his mother, Danielle Forino. “Every morning, he would say he was too tired or didn’t feel good.” At 13 years old, he was prescribed Vicodin following dental work and, his mother said, quickly started abusing it. By his sophomore year of high school, in 2017, he couldn’t get through the school day without nicotine, she recalled. By his junior year, he was addicted to oxycodone. His senior year, he enrolled at the district’s alternative schooling program, which allows students more flexibility in their learning, but was kicked out for vaping nicotine. Throughout this time, he fell further behind academically and became disengaged from school, his peers and other activities he previously enjoyed.
Read the Maine Monitor news article Here
4th April 2026
People in addiction recovery recount rescue from drug street life
“I was depressed with the life I was living in the streets and at different times, I attempted suicide.” These were the words of Donatus Ikechukwu, a former drug addict and cult member who had suffered harsh realities of life on the streets. The 38-year-old was among the converts reached through the Explosive Evangelism Initiative organised by the Evangelism Ministry of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, headquartered in Yaba, Lagos. Founded in 1989 by Dr Daniel Olukoya, the MFM is a massive international church with a large, rapidly growing global membership. On Tuesday, no fewer than 12 converts who were rescued by the team from lives of destitution, street dwelling, cult involvement, and drug addiction gathered at the church’s Prayer City camp along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to share their experiences. This ecclesiastical form of addiction rehab and treatment is immensely important in people’s lives
Read the Punch news article Here
3rd April 2026
New drug and alcohol support service launched
A new service has been set up to support people affected by alcohol or drug use who are in need of addiction rehab and treatment services. Inspire started operating for residents across the West Northamptonshire Council area on Wednesday, and it offers free and confidential help to those in need. Several specialist organisations including Turning Point, Bridge, Family Support Link, Double Impact and Framework, have helped create the service. Laura Couse, cabinet member for adult care and public health at the Reform UK-led local authority, said it wanted to make sure anyone could “get the right support at the right moment”.
Read the BBC News article Here
2nd April 2026
‘Pregnancy doesn’t cure addiction’: Overdose is top cause of death for new Indiana mothers
Dana Cahill, peer recovery specialist for the Community Health Network’s CHOICE program, said she helps women feel human again. It’s a voluntary 24-7 addiction rehab and treatment program that helps mothers detox from heroin, methamphetamine, and other addictive substances. When she’s not giving out pastel-colored toys or maternity clothes, Cahill helps patients rebuild their lives. Sometimes that means getting a driver’s license or applying for jobs. Other times, Cahill helps mothers find an inpatient treatment center.
Read the Indiana Public Media News article Here
1st April 2026
Mullan to present addiction services petition to health minister
Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan will present a petition to the health minister on Monday calling for more addiction rehab and treatment services in Derry. Speaking after meeting with Tamzin White, who set up the petition after her mother passed away in January, the Foyle MLA said: “I want to commend Tamzin for her courage and bravery and her inspiring campaign for detox services and increased support for people battling addiction. “Her petition has now been signed by over 8,000 people from across the city and on Monday I will present it to health minister Robin Swann. “There is a clear need for more investment in addiction services in the city to support the amazing work already being carried out by the Northlands Centre. “Substance addiction is a serious problem in the north west and we must ensure that every avenue is explored to deliver the best possible service for those in need.”
Read the Sinn Fein press release Here
31st March 2026
Stress and addiction: New research reveals what connects them
Why do stressful moments so often push people toward habits like drinking? A new study from Texas A&M University offers one of the clearest answers yet, identifying a direct connection inside the brain that links stress to addiction‑related behaviors. The work shows how alcohol disrupts the natural stress‑response system, making it harder for the brain to adapt or make good decisions. These findings are impactful because if scientists understand where a system breaks, they can start figuring out how to fix it and tailor addiction rehab and treatment accordingly.
Read the Texas A&M stories article Here
30th March 2026
‘I nearly broke trying to help my partner with addiction issues’
When Claire Harkin met her husband 11 years ago she didn’t know he was hiding a secret that would tear her world apart. For years Michael Harkin’s life was consumed by a cocaine and alcohol addiction and he was spiralling out of control. Over time, Claire watched him change, and said witnessing the effects of addiction was one of the hardest things she has experienced. “It’s hard because you always saw that glimmer of hope in him that he was still there, but it got to a point… I ended up nearly breaking myself to trying to help Michael.” It’s a far cry from the settled family life they now share with their children. With right addiction rehab and treatment support Michael got his life back on track.
Read the BBC News article Here
29th March 2026
MP calls for more help for monkey dust addicts
An MP has called on the prime minister to help tackle the “significant problems” in her constituency caused by the drug monkey dust. Allison Gardner, who represents Stoke-on-Trent South, said a lack of joined-up working between services in the city was making it harder for addicts to recover. She said she had launched a task force aimed at addressing service gaps and asked for a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer to discuss the problem of synthetic cathinones such as monkey dust. The prime minister acknowledged the threat posed by drugs such as monkey dust and said the government was investing in addiction rehab and treatment services for addicts. “Alongside deploying new detection methods at the border to seize drugs, we are investing in better mental health support and drug addiction treatment, with almost £26m for Stoke-on-Trent,” he said.
Read the BBC News article Here
28th March 2026
USF, Pasco Opioid Taskforce seek feedback to fight addiction
The Pasco County Opioid Taskforce and the University of South Florida have partnered up to analyze the gaps in access for residents in behavioral health and opioid addiction treatment and rehab. They are holding two meetings on March 31 and April 2 to listen to public feedback on what should change. Painkillers are at the center of the nation’s opioid crisis, and Florida received a $3 billion settlement a few years ago from manufacturers, distributors and dispensers of opioids. That money is going back into our communities to fight addiction, with the latest part of that work involving the Pasco County Opioid Taskforce and University of South Florida.
Read the AOL news article Here
27th March 2026
‘Like a drug’: SF man says he got hooked on betting at age 11 as teen gambling addiction surges
“Those games, it felt like crack cocaine. It was like ridiculous.” A surge in online gaming is leading to problem betting by young people, especially teenage boys. Parents we interviewed had no idea how bad their child’s gambling addiction had become; in some cases, years passed before they found out. The ABC7 Eyewitness News I-Team has been working on a joint project with ABC News called “In On The Action: The high stakes of youth gambling.” Kurt Freudenberg tells us the first seeds of his gambling addiction were planted when he was just 11 years old. He didn’t sneak into some casino, roll the dice or hit the slots. Kurt found a way to make money selling the cosmetic upgrades he won on a first-person video game, called “skins. Luckily, with the right addiction treatment and rehab support, Kurt overcame his gambling problem.
Read the Eyewitness News article Here
26th March 2026
The Hidden Financial Cost of Addiction: Warning Signs, Debt Risks, and Recovery Steps
Job loss, deaths, and other transitions interrupt cash flow, often leading people to struggle with their day-to-day finances or future financial goals. The same goes for those facing addiction or helping a loved one through their recovery, though it may not be as obvious. It can have grave and long-term financial consequences, such as debt, depleted savings, legal costs, and strained family finances. With the right and timely support through addiction rehab and treatment services, this toll can be minimised.
Read the Investopedia article Here
25th March 2026
Treating addiction
Addiction is a serious public health problem in the United States. Nearly 80,000 people nationwide died of drug overdoses in 2024 alone. But drug overdoses are just one of the many harms caused by addiction and substance use disorders. About 178,000 people in the United States die from excessive drinking each year. Alcohol use disorder increases the risk of unintentional injuries, car accidents, and suicide. It also contributes to cancer, heart disease, liver disease, birth defects, and developmental disabilities. Cigarette smoking kills more than 480,000 Americans each year. Tobacco and nicotine addiction contribute to cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases, and diabetes. This underscore the need for timely addiction rehab and treatment for anyone suffering symptoms of dependence.
Read the National Institute of Health article Here
24th March 2026
A Haven from Addiction in Rural Georgia
Your Haven, an addiction recovery community organization in Buchanan, Georgia, sits on a quiet side street—a small, beige building against a stand of Loblolly pines. But its unassuming façade belies its impact here as a place of deep connections, second chances and new beginnings. Opened in 2020 in response to the opioid crisis in rural Haralson County, Your Haven’s services include community outreach, peer-led recovery groups and 12-step addiction programs. Staffed by people who have taken the journey from addiction to recovery, the organization brings empathy and understanding to its work with community members seeking help.
Read the Saporta Report Article Here
23rd March 2026
Substance abuse and addiction workshop for seniors in Maple Ridge
A free wellness workshop is taking place for seniors in the community covering substance abuse and addiction. The workshop, presented by the Seniors’ Health and Wellness Institute, will be covering a multitude of topics including: seniors vulnerability; misuse, abuse, and addiction; gambling; medication; alcohol; warning signs of addiction; helping with substance abuse and addiction; and treatment. “Whether for yourself or to help a loved one, come learn about the signs and the help available,” said the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society online.
Read The News article Here
22nd March 2026
‘The only thing left for me was death’: meet the meth-addict long jumper who has been to hell and back
Sprawled prone in the dirt, the cold metal of a baseball bat cracking against his skull, spine and down to the legs that had once propelled him to glory, Luvo Manyonga experienced an epiphany. This existence could not continue; he must change his life or die. Manyonga had been a drug addict for as long as he could remember, seeking recreational highs that provided the opposite of the performance-enhancing shortcuts that some of his deceitful athletics rivals might have pursued. At times, he just about kept his habit in check. Never for long periods – not even when at his sporting peak. Thankfully he was able to recover with the right type of addiction treatment and rehab support.
Read the Guardian News article Here
21st March 2026
20th March 2026
Women in Türkiye face rising addiction barriers, expert warns
Addictions increasingly affect women in Türkiye, with societal pressures discouraging them from seeking timely treatment, according to Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu, vice president of the Turkish Green Crescent and secretary-general of the International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC). Speaking at the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), Güllüoğlu highlighted that addiction issues, ranging from tobacco, alcohol and drugs to gambling, technology and shopping, pose growing threats, particularly for young people and women. “Women often hesitate to seek help due to societal expectations, delaying treatment and increasing vulnerability,” he said. Addiction rehab and treatment services are often generic and don’t often tailor their services to meet women’s needs.
Read the Daily Sabah article Here
19th March 2026
Nuns help rebuild lives of Nigerians recovering from drug addiction
Behind the high walls of the Mater Christi Human Development and Religious Formation Centre, recovery does not announce itself through dramatic breakthroughs or sudden transformations. Instead, it unfolds slowly, through routines, discipline, and the daily work of rebuilding bodies and minds strained by prolonged substance use. At the center’s Counselling and Rehabilitation Department, most clients arrive physically depleted and emotionally vulnerable, uncertain whether lasting recovery is still possible. Years of substance use have left deep marks not only on their health, but also on their relationships and sense of self. Addiction rehab and treatment can take many forms and this facility has saved and changed many lives.
Read the Global Sisters Report Here
18th March 2026
Draft National Drugs Strategy ‘fundamentally flawed’
The draft National Drugs Strategy has been described as “fundamentally flawed” by a number of groups representing people who use drugs, as well as communities and families that are affected by drug use. The 2026-2029 draft National Drugs Strategy was published by Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor last month. The document was informed by trends in drug and harmful alcohol use, the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use, the previous drugs strategy and the views of stakeholders, including Oireachtas committees. However, Citywide, Family Addiction Recovery Ireland (FARI) and UISCE, who took part in the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use and have been before Oireachtas Committees; have said the proposed strategy has failed to reference the link between poverty, inequality and drug-related harms.
Read the RTE News article Here
17th March 2026
UCLA Health is leading the effort to treat and destigmatize addiction
Dr. Julio Meza lost two family members to addiction-related illnesses when he was a child. Now, as a UCLA Health physician, he leads a program providing doctors with addiction-specific training. Meza, and dozens of other researchers and clinicians, are working across the UCLA Health system to destigmatize and treat addiction. Addiction impacts tens of millions of people in the United States annually, according to the National Institute on Drugs and Addiction. UCLA ranks as one of the top institutes in the U.S. for federal research funding in addiction medicine, which is a medical subspecialty designed to prevent, diagnose and provide addiction rehab and treatment support.
Read the Daily Bruin article Here
16th March 2026
Afghanistan Special Fund Supports Addiction Treatment Through Mobile Centers
The Afghanistan Special Fund has announced its support for mobile centers providing addiction treatment, enabling drug-dependent individuals to access testing, counseling, and treatment services. These programs have helped a number of patients begin their recovery process and return to normal life. According to program officials, individuals seeking employment or better life opportunities who faced addiction issues can now benefit from specialized services at these centers. These services include initial screenings, psychological counseling, and ongoing treatment plans.
Read the Atlas Press News article Here
15th March 2026
“I almost lost myself… trying to save him” – Khloe Kardashian on the toll of Lamar Odom’s addiction battle
Lamar Odom’s drug and alcohol addiction has been well-documented. The former Los Angeles Lakers star admitted using recreational substances even before he met Khloe Kardashian in 2009, even calling himself “a real addict” in a recent podcast interview. Things began to spiral out of control once more when Odom’s basketball career went south. After learning he was supposed to be shipped out in a deal that would have brought Chris Paul to Los Angeles, Odom requested a trade, to which the Purple and Gold gladly obliged. That development, according to him, effectively ended his career and sense of purpose. Odom eventually accepted the addiction rehab and treatment support he needed as part of his recovery programme.
Read the Basketball Network article Here
14th March 2026
Ketamine should be a Class A drug, says ex-user
A former drug addict said that ketamine should be a Class A drug as data revealed the number of people being treated in Suffolk for using it has risen by 251% since 2022. Drawing from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System’s figures, Suffolk County Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board said there were currently 183 ketamine users being treated in the county, which has a population of about 760,000. The government has been consulting with experts on whether to reclassify the drug from a Class B to a Class A controlled substance. Tony Pascall, from Ipswich, said he used ketamine daily for 22 years before stopping 18 months ago, adding it was “definitely” one of the most dangerous drugs. People with Ketamine problems need ready access to addiction rehab and treatment support services.
Read the BBC News article Here
13th March 2026
Repeat offender is told to undertake treatment programme for drug addiction
A father-of-four who was found in possession of cannabis valued at €1,800 has been told by a judge that he needs to address his addiction by undertaking an addiction treatment and rehab programme. Darren Mulcahy, aged 55, of 51 An Sruthan, Castlebar, pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to the possession of drugs for sale or supply at his home. The court was told the defendant had a number of previous convictions for possessing drugs, including for sale or supply. Last July, he appealed a District Court conviction for the possession of cannabis to the Circuit Criminal Court where he was given a jail sentence of nine months, suspended for two years.
Read the Western People article Here
12th March 2026
Problem Gambling, Mental Health Orgs Back POINTS Act Dedicating Federal Funds to Gambling Addiction
US Representatives Erin Houchin (R-IN), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Troy Carter (D-LA) have introduced H.R. 7875, the Providing Opportunities for Individuals in Need of Treatment and Support (POINTS) Act, to expand prevention, addiction rehab and treatment, and recovery services for those experiencing gambling addiction. The Bill is the first bipartisan, gambling addiction-focused legislation introduced in Congress in over 15 years. It has endorsements from the National Council on Problem Gambling, Mental Health America of Indiana, and the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling.
Read the Gambling Insider article Here
11th March 2026
No more daily clinics: New methadone alternative will give patients more freedom
Clinicians are hoping that an opioid substitution drug that works as an alternative to methadone, but only involves once-a-month injections, is set to transform how addiction services work in Ireland. Budival, a long-acting injectable form of buprenorphine, is already being taken by over 1200 patients, while nearly 10,000 received methadone treatment last year. Leading psychiatrists working within HSE addiction services say that following a successful pilot addiction treatment programme and additional funding in this year’s budget, they are hoping that eventually the number of patients using Budival will far outnumber those on methadone.
Read the Journal.ie article Here
10th March 2026
The Changing Face of Opioid Use Disorder
Jason Kirby, MD, discussed the evolving landscape of opioid use disorder (OUD) and addiction medicine. Kirby described the past decade as a period of substantial growth in the recognition and professionalization of addiction medicine, noting its establishment as a subspecialty under the American Board of Preventive Medicine and the expansion of ACGME-accredited fellowships.1 He expressed optimism that broader workforce development would improve national access to board-certified addiction specialists that can provide addiction rehab support to sufferers of addiction.
Read the Psychiatric Times article Here
8th March 2026
Drug Addiction Rises Sharply, Especially Among Young Adults
The number of drug addiction patients, entering addiction rehab and treatment support services, in South Korea has risen sharply in recent years, highlighting a growing public health concern as President Lee Jae-myung’s administration moves to intensify a crackdown on drug-related crime. According to data released Sunday by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients treated for drug addiction under the national health insurance system climbed from 557 in 2020 to 828 in 2024, an increase of 48.7 percent. The figures count unique patients who received medical treatment, excluding repeat visits. They include individuals diagnosed with mental or behavioral disorders related to the use of narcotic substances such as opioids, cannabis, cocaine and hallucinogens.
Read the Korea Bizwire article Here
7th March 2026
The silent addiction on college campuses: Online prediction betting and the next public health crisis
On a typical evening in a college dormitory, a student scrolling through his phone may not be browsing social media or watching videos but instead placing small wagers on whether inflation will rise, whether a political candidate will win a primary election, or whether a geopolitical event will occur within a specified time frame. What begins as casual curiosity—an experiment in predicting the future—can quickly evolve into a pattern of repeated bets placed throughout the day, each one accompanied by the same anticipation and adrenaline once associated with casino gambling. Online gambling is a pervasive problem that requires tailored addiction rehab and treatment supports.
Read the American Bazaar article Here
6th March 2026
Research highlights sharp rise in gambling addiction help requests in Ontario following online market growth
The number of young men contacting Ontario’s mental health addiction support helpline for gambling-related issues has skyrocketed by more than 300% since the province expanded its online gambling market, a new study reveals. Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the study analyzed data from ConnexOntario, the province’s mental health and addictions helpline, covering the period from January 2012 to September 2025. During that time, the service logged over 745,700 contacts, with roughly 37,000 related to gambling.
Read the Yogonet article Here
5th March 2026
Rethinking how we measure recovery from substance use
Nearly 50 million people in the United States struggle with substance use disorders, and nearly three in four use more than one substance. People with polysubstance use disorders are more likely than single drug users to suffer poor health, relapse from treatment, and overdose. They’re also three times more likely to die.Emerging evidence suggests that successfully recovering, with addiction rehab and treatment support, from using one substance helps people develop strategies they can use to take on their use of other substances.
Read the EurekAlert article Here
4th March 2026
Opioid settlement funds and philanthropy expand adolescent addiction care in Georgia
The Addiction Alliance of Georgia (AAG), a collaboration between Emory Healthcare and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, has opened a new 7,000-square-foot Adolescent Outpatient addiction rehab and treatment Program at the Emory Addiction Center in Atlanta, expanding access to specialized substance use prevention, early intervention and treatment services for youth and families across Georgia. The expansion is supported by $2.5 million in philanthropic gifts and a $4.4 million Georgia opioid abatement grant awarded through the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust as part of the state’s allocation from the 2022 national opioid settlement with pharmaceutical companies.
Read the Emory University article Here
3rd March 2026
Responding to urgent substance use and addictions needs across Ontario
Communities in Canada continue to experience disproportionate harms due to the toxic drug supply, alongside intersecting challenges related to addiction, mental health and housing insecurity. This crisis is complex and has many faces, and we need to work together at all levels to coordinate our efforts to save lives and make communities safer. The Government of Canada recognizes that municipalities and Indigenous communities are best placed to understand the realities on the ground and respond with care, compassion, and culturally appropriate addiction rehab and treatment and wider social supports supports through trusted local organizations and frontline partners.
Read the Yahoo Finance article Here
2nd March 2026
Creating awareness of addiction
The time has come to move from raising awareness of addiction towards providing support for those affected by the disease – and to equip young people with the tools to avoid addiction in the first place. That’s according to Killererin-based advocate Olivia Rooney who recently organised the ‘Sure Look, I’m Grand’ event in Barnaderg seeking to facilitate open and honest conversations around mental health and addiction. Olivia, who is herself in recovery from alcohol addiction, says stigma hampers efforts to support those who ‘fall into its jaws’ – and curtails parents’ ability to broach the topic with their children.
Read the Connacht Tribune article Here
1st March 2026
Drugs Information Night Confronts Addiction Crisis in Drogheda
The full horrors of addiction and the addiction rehab and treatment services there to help were outlined at a special drugs information meeting organised by Councillors Pio Smith and Paddy McQuillian on Thursday night in conjunction with the Red Door Project. Among the guest speakers before a large audience was the crime journalist Paul Williams. The meeting heard that cocaine and alcohol are the main drugs of choice both in Drogheda and the country. Most addicts also have mental health issues and some have diagnosed disorders. It was also revealed that most women who are heroin addicts were sexually abused as a child and that 70pc of prisoners are addicted to drugs.
Read the Drogheda Life article Here
28th February 2026
Nearly 8,000 drug addicted children and youths under 21 arrested in 2024
A total of 7,950 school-going children and youth below the age of 21 have been arrested within the 2024 over addiction to heroin and ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine), according to Sri Lanka Police. Speaking at a press briefing at the Govt. Information Department today (28), DIG of the Police Narcotics Bureau Ashoka Dharmasena stated that the number of drug raids and arrests carried out by the police and security forces in 2025 are very high compared to the previous year. He stated that compared to the 832 kg of heroin seized in 2024, a much higher quantity of 1,831 kg of heroin was taken into custody within the year 2025. At the same time, the quantity of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine) seized in 2024 was 1,364 kg while this has increased to 3,865 kg the following year.
Read the Adadarena news article Here
27th February 2026
Paramedic calls for suspected drug overdoses nearly double in Sudbury
Calls to paramedics for suspected drug overdoses in Greater Sudbury nearly doubled in January compared to the same month last year, according to a new report from Public Health Sudbury and Districts. The public health unit’s latest drug toxicity surveillance report shows Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services responded to 60 calls for suspected opioid-related overdoses in January 2026. During the same period in 2025, paramedics responded to 36 such calls. Eighteen people also died from a suspected drug overdose in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts last month, up from 11 deaths in January 2025. This underscores the importance of readily available harm reduction and addiction treatment and rehab services.
Read the CBC News article Here
26th February 2026
‘There’s no shame in having an addiction’, Prince Harry tells recovered users on Jordan trip
Prince Harry has told a group of recovered addicts “there’s no shame in having an addiction”, as he urged them to go back to their communities and help others. During the second day of their Jordan trip, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the country’s National Centre for addiction rehab and treatment which they called “incredible”. The couple listened to a group of men describing the emotional toll of substance abuse and the assistance they have received from the facility in the capital Amman. It has a holistic approach to helping patients, providing activities like a gym and yoga classes.
Read the Sky News article Here
25th February 2026
Over 270 non-fatal overdoses have been treated in Ireland’s first supervised injection centre
Over 270 NON-FATAL overdoses have been treated in Ireland’s first supervised injection facility since it opened over a year ago, an Oireachtas committee will hear today. The assistant secretary at the Department of Health will tell TDs and senators that over 1,500 people have visited the facility over 17,000 times between December 2024 and November last year. The injection facility, which cost about €5 million, is over halfway through an 18-month pilot after being licensed by the Department of Health. It is operated by Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homelessness and addiction charity. MSIC have been shown to save lives and also have the potential to link vulnerable drug users with traditional addiction rehab and treatment services.
Read the Journal.ie article Here
24th February 2026
Rural drug addiction project expands collaborations, reach
The Rural Drug Addiction Research Center, founded at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2019, brings together scientists from a variety of disciplines to address the etiology, assessment, prevention and addiction treatment of drug misuse in rural America. It received a five-year, $11.6 million renewal grant in 2024 from the National Institutes of Health’s Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence Program to continue its work. Rick Bevins, center director, said the project encompasses a holistic “synapse to society” approach to understanding drug use.
Read the Nebraska Today news article
23rd February 2026
‘I was a cocaine addict, sex addict, Man City groupie – but now I help others to see recovery can happen’
“I am a multi-addict, my nickname in rehab was the multi-addicted git,” says Mike “Woody” Wood wryly as he details the varying addictions he has succumbed to in his lifetime.”I’ve done alcoholics anonymous, narcotics anonymous, I set cocaine anonymous up in Manchester with two of my mates… I’ve done sex addicts anonymous, I’ve done gamblers anonymous, co-dependent anonymous, I’ve done nine different fellowships – all 12 steps – a really great way to live”, proving that with right kind of addiction rehab and treatment supports, recovery can happen.
Read the Manchester Evening Standard article Here
22nd February 2026
MP accuses Stormont of ‘wriggling out’ of addiction centre commitment
An MP has accused Stormont’s Department of Health (DoH) of trying to “wriggle out” of funding a new addiction treatment centre in Londonderry. The SDLP MP for Foyle Colum Eastwood said funding for a new centre in Derry was outlined in the New Decade New Approach (NDNA) agreement which restored Northern Ireland’s power-sharing executive in 2020. Six years on, plans for Northlands to relocate to a new site on the Culmore Road as an addiction centre of excellence have not happened. The DoH previously said NDNA only referred to potential funding for the project but did not include a specific commitment to it and they continued to engage with the Northern Ireland Office (NIO).
Read the BBC article Here
21st February 2026
‘That’s me!’: Hundreds tell BBC how medication triggered gambling and other addictions
Emma couldn’t understand why she had suddenly developed a gambling problem, until she read a recent BBC News article. Over the course of the past year, she had lost tens of thousands of pounds – but had never imagined that her medication might be responsible. Emma is one of more than 250 people who have now contacted us about addictions – gambling, but also sex and shopping – caused by a family of drugs prescribed for movement disorders. Those who got in touch include people with responsible jobs – a police officer, nurses, doctors, and even a director of risk for a bank. It is very important that people who develop these problems are able to access addiction rehab and treatment support.
Read the BBC article Here
20th February 2026
Alcohol addiction quadrupled in Portugal
The data is contained in the Executive Summary of the Annual Reports for 2024 of the Institute for Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (ICAD), which aggregates information from a set of surveys and barometers from recent years, in Portugal and at European level, on consumption and dependencies among young people and the general population, and is being presented today in the Assembly of the Republic. According to the 2022 national survey, among current consumers, “daily/almost daily consumption of some alcoholic beverage was 37% (20% of respondents), with 30% of consumers drinking wine daily, 12% beer and 2% spirits.”
Read the Portugal News article Here
19th February 2026
More than 3,200 seek addiction support as services warn high demand now ‘new normal’
More than 3,200 people accessed addiction treatment and recovery support through Coolmine Therapeutic Community over the past year, as the organisation warned that sustained high demand has become the “new normal” for services. The end-of-year analysis, highlighted at a graduation ceremony in Blanchardstown, shows that 3,282 individuals engaged with treatment nationwide, reflecting consistently high need alongside increasingly complex presentations linked to mental health, housing instability and family pressures. Men accounted for 58pc of presentations, with women making up 42pc, as the service reported “continued growth in female engagement with addiction services”.
Read the Independent.ie article Here
18th February 2026
£20 million in government grants on offer for innovators tackling drug and alcohol addiction
£20 million in government funding is being made available in the form of grants for innovators tackling drug and alcohol addiction, looking to develop digital tools such as wearables, apps, and VR as part of the Addiction Healthcare Goals programme. The grants are being made available through Innovate UK, for innovations and technologies focusing on improving treatment, aiding recovery, and reducing harms associated with addiction. Applications for grants of up to £10 million are already open for late-stage innovations that can demonstrate market readiness and progress toward regulatory approval, with a second strand catering for earlier-stage innovations, offering up to £1.5 million to help demonstrate initial effectiveness.
Read the HTN news article Here
17th February 2026
Northlands Centre has been ‘transforming lives and challenging shame and stigma of addiction’ for 50 years in Derry
The Northlands Centre in Derry has ‘transformed lives and challenged the shame and stigma of addiction’ over the past 50 years, Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has observed. “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Northlands centre in Derry. For half a century, it has carried a simple but life-changing message: recovery is possible, people matter and no one should face addiction alone. “What began in the 1970s as an education initiative has grown into something far greater. Northlands became a community of support and, ultimately, a regional addiction rehab and treatment centre that has helped people from across the North.
Read the Derry Journal article Here
16th February 2026
I needed help for addiction – 30 years later I’m running the service
Tommy Canning was 22 years old when he first arrived at an addiction support centre battling alcohol and drug abuse problems – 30 years later he’s still there. Now head of treatment at the centre he once attended as a patient, Canning helps people who are in similar situations to his. “It is an incredible chain of events that the young man who needed the service is now looking after Northlands Centre and carrying the responsibility for it,” he said. Canning said his first-hand knowledge and personal perspective means he understands what people are facing when they arrive on the same doorstep he did all those years ago.
Read the BBC News article Here
13th February 2026
Alarm over ‘hollowing out’ of community sector in new National Drugs Strategy
Members of the Oireachtas Drugs Committee have expressed alarm at the “centralising” of control on drug policy in the draft National Drugs Strategy (NDS). There were also warnings of a “hollowing out” of the community sector. The proposed NDS, published last week, will set the State’s response on drugs for the next three years. It is due to go out for public consultation in the coming weeks. The committee has previously heard concerns from community organisations at what they see as a dilution of their role, including in the consultation for the preparation of the NDS.
Read the Irish Examiner article Here
12th February 2026
Instagram boss says 16 hours of daily use is ‘problematic’ not addiction
The head of Instagram has defended his platform against claims it caused mental health damage to minors, arguing in a California court that even seemingly excessive use of social media does not equal an addiction. Adam Mosseri, who has led Instagram for eight years, testified in the landmark trial that began this week in Los Angeles, making him the first high-profile executive to appear. It is expected to last six weeks, and serve as a test of legal arguments aimed at holding tech firms accountable for impacts on young people. Excessive internet use is becoming more prevalent and the treatment of this problem requires a tailored addiction rehab approach.
Read the BBC News article Here
11th February 2026
Addiction consults improve care for drug-related eye infections
People who use injection drugs are at a higher risk for eye infections, particularly endogenous endophthalmitis-a medical emergency caused by bacteria or fungi entering the bloodstream to reach the inside of the eye. These individuals may present to eye clinics or emergency rooms with severe, vision-threatening disease. However, the underlying substance use disorder that led to their infection is often not addressed in a systematic way. Evidence shows that linking in with an addiction rehab and treatment programme can improve eye health.
Rad the News Medical Life Sciences article Here
10th February 2026
I grew up in a happy home but tried drugs at 11 – it sparked 23-year heroin & crack addiction, now I look unrecognisable
Charlotte Seaman, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, has now been sober for over a year, shares her experience on social media to warn others about the dangers of drugs. In a recent clip, she revealed: “Everything that I speak about on here is to spread awareness on addiction and the reality of what addiction does and where it can take you and the fact that addiction doesn’t discriminate. “I come from a beautiful home and I still ended up on the streets, homeless.” In the clip, Charlotte shared images and videos of herself at the height of her addiction to heroin and crack cocaine. Heroin and cocaine addiction sufferers need timely addiction rehab and treatment to help them overcome their problem.
Read The Sun news article Here
9th February 2026
Alcohol addiction linked to major brain gene changes
Chronic alcohol consumption majorly alters gene expression in key brain regions involved in reward, impulse control and decision-making, according to a study led by researchers at the Miguel Hernandez University of Elche in Spain. The study offers new insight into the biological basis of alcohol addiction and identifies molecular changes that could guide future drug development. Alcohol use disorder is among the leading causes of disease and death worldwide, yet there are few effective treatments. High relapse rates underline the need for addiction rehab and treatment therapies that target the underlying biology of addiction rather than its symptoms alone.
Read the Drug Target Review article Here
6th February 2026
New York lawmakers propose alcohol tax funding for addiction treatment programs statewide
New York lawmakers are considering adding alcohol tax as a new way to pay for addiction rehab and treatment care at the same time the state is making alcohol easier to buy. Over the past few years, alcohol rules have loosened across the state. Drinks can now be ordered to go from restaurants, alcohol can be shipped directly to homes, movie theaters can sell beer and wine, and lawmakers are still debating whether grocery stores should be allowed to sell alcohol. As access grows, some state leaders say it is time to deal directly with the harm that often follows increased drinking.
Read the Legal Reader article Here
5th February 2026
Government has no plans to raise minimum unit price for alcohol
The Government has no plans to increase the minimum unit price for alcohol, as the health minister awaits the findings of a review into the measure. Minimum unit pricing (MUP), which sets a floor price for alcohol under which retailers cannot charge, was first introduced in January 2022, with officials describing it as a health measure to reduce serious illness and death from alcohol consumption. It’s based on the strength of the drink and the quantity in the bottle or can, but it sets a floor price of €7.40 for a typical bottle of wine and €1.70 for cans of beer or stout. MUP is one of the strategies, along with addiction rehab and treatment, designed to reduce the burden of alcohol related problems in Ireland.
Read the Irish Examiner article Here
4th February 2026
‘Alcohol recovery programme changed my life’
Overcoming alcohol addiction can be a difficult cycle to break but a charity in West Sussex is highlighting a new programme supporting people wanting to get sober. Turning Tides has helped dozens of people withdraw from alcohol gradually under clinical supervision. Unlike some other methods, they don’t use medication, as is often the case with traditional rehab and treatment methods, which can become addictive in itself. Mark was helped by the Recovery Project in Worthing, which is a residential service within Turning Tides, providing a safe, trauma-informed environment for people experiencing homelessness and alcohol addiction who are ready to begin recovery.
Read the ITVX story Here
3rd February 2026
Understanding Addiction As A Growing Public Health Challenge
Addiction is a complex health issue that touches families, workplaces, and schools. It affects how people think and act, and it strains emergency rooms and public budgets. Behind every data point is a person trying to cope. Treating addiction like any other chronic condition, with prevention, timely care with addiction rehab and treatment and long-term support, which helps people rebuild their health and their lives.
Read the Eye on Annapolis article Here
2nd February 2026
‘No politics, just keep people alive’: Syringe services hope legality continues
Six Indiana counties operate a syringe service program, often acting as a bridge to health care, overdose prevention education and addiction treatment and rehab. But the programs could end in July. The Indiana Recovery Alliance has come a long way since its founding about a decade ago. Like other Indiana syringe service programs, the alliance does more than just provide sterile supplies and safely dispose of used needles. Staff say their work goes beyond basic addiction services; they’re a human rights advocacy organization. “Our biggest motto is we meet people where they’re at and try not to leave them there,” said Scott Pietrovich, syringe services program coordinator.
Read the Louisville Public Media article Here
30th January 2026
Number of teenagers with mental health issues attending drug addiction services ‘through the roof’
Read the Irish Examiner article Here
29th January 2026
Advancing brain-based therapeutics to the forefront of addiction care
As our understanding of the neurobiology of addiction evolves, so do opportunities to develop more precise, brain-based interventions for co-occurring disorders. In our free webinar, “Advancing Brain-Based Therapeutics to the Forefront of Addiction Care,” on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET., Victor Tang, M.D., MSc, FRCPC, Psychiatrist & Clinician Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and the recipient of a 2022 Young Investigator Award, will discuss his recent research on addiction and concurrent disorders (when mental illness and addiction co-occur).
Read the eurekalert.org article Here
28th January 2026
Trump signs executive order to combat drug addiction, substance abuse
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is launching a new federal effort to combat drug addiction and substance abuse, calling the issue one of the most serious challenges facing the nation. “Today, I’m signing a historic executive order to combat the scourge of addiction and substance abuse,” he said at the signing ceremony at the White House. The initiative will be known as the “Great American Recovery Initiative,” to help people who need addiction rehab and treatment. Trump noted that substance abuse continues to exact a heavy toll across the US. “We lose an estimated 300,000 people to drug and alcohol abuse (every year), and the real number is probably much, much higher than that,” he said.
Read the aa.com article Here
27th January 2026
24-year-old Sligo man with 30 previous convictions told to get help for his alcohol addiction
A 24-year-old man was told that he needs to get addiction rehab and treatment help for his alcohol addiction in Sligo District Court. Mark Sweeney of Beechlawn, Magheraboy, was charged with being intoxicated at Rathbraughan Park, on August 11, 2025. Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that Gardaí received a report from residents of Rathbraughan of a man trying to fight everyone. Upon arrival, Gardaí spoke to residents who described the defendant. Gardaí then noticed Sweeney staggering along a nearby footpath.
Read the Independent.ie article Here
26th January 2026
Meta, TikTok and YouTube heading to trial to defend against youth addiction, mental health harm claims
Los Angeles – For years, social media giants have argued against claims that their platforms harm young people’s mental health. Starting Tuesday, they will for the first time have to defend against those claims before a jury in a court of law. A 19-year-old identified as KGM and her mother, Karen Glenn, are suing TikTok, Meta and Google’s YouTube, alleging that the companies knowingly created addictive features that harmed her mental health and led to self-harm and suicidal thoughts. (Snap, also a defendant, settled last week under undisclosed terms.)
Read the CNN article Here
20th January 2026
Drug treatment courts can jam addiction’s ‘revolving door’
Calls to expand New Zealand’s Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court rang out across the country this month, and for good reason. Recent Ministry of Justice figures show that people who complete the drug treatment court programme are 50 percent less likely to reoffend in their first year than comparable high-risk, high-needs offenders who go through the District Court. Even four years after graduating, they are 20 percent less likely to reoffend. In the criminal justice world, these statistics are significant. More than 400 people came together at a two-day conference at the University of Auckland to discuss these specialist courts, the significant research that underpins them, and to hear compelling stories of graduates of these courts who have turned their lives around with this form of addiction rehab and treatment support.
Read the Auckland.au.nz article Here
19th January 2026
Risk of gambling addiction is higher in people whose family members have betting problems
Having a family member or a close friend with a gambling problem puts people at greater risk of developing one, too, a new study finds. The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that “when gambling is seen as normal by others, it can increase a person’s own risk of gambling,” the researchers wrote in the Journal of Gambling Studies. “It has long been known that alcohol-related problems run in families – this study demonstrates that this is also the case with gambling,” Richard Velleman, one of the study’s authors, said in a news release. “This is an important discovery, as many people don’t see gambling problems as equivalent to alcohol or drug problems, as gamblers don’t ‘ingest’ anything, yet gambling can equally lead to serious problems which cause serious harm to individuals and families.” Sufferers need a tailored addiction rehab and treatment approach.
Read the Phillyvoice.com article Here
16th January 2026
Dublin injection centre sees zero deaths despite 179 overdoses in nine months
The Medically Supervised Injecting Facility (MSIF) located on Merchants Quay opened its doors in December 2024 to provide a place where those addicted to injectable drugs, mainly heroin, can do so in a safe, medically supervised facility. While some objected to the centre opening, Green Party Councillor Michael Pidgeon has highlighted the overdose figures as a sign that these centres work. The centres can also provide a pathway to traditional addiction treatment and rehab services.
Read the Dublin Live article Here
15th January 2026
Drug addict ‘trying his best to move forward’
A Castlebar man with a long history of addiction has been given a suspended jail term for possessing cannabis. Eamon Hanrahan, of Spencer Street, Castlebar, appeared before Castlebar District Court in connection with offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The court heard that the matter had been before the court on a number of previous occasions, during which no one had appeared on behalf of the defendant. On this occasion, solicitor Cathy McDarby said she was prepared to finalise the case on Hanrahan’s behalf. The court heard that Hanrahan is engaging with an addiction counsellor, as part of an addiction rehab and treatment programme, and is not being asked to stop abruptly, but rather to reduce his usage in a managed way. He has also undertaken studies in social studies, psychology and addiction at Atlantic Technological University and is attending regular counselling sessions.
Read the Western People article Here
14th January 2026
‘Laughing gas’ may be added to list of drugs tested for at roadside Garda checkpoints
Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, may be included among the drugs tested for at roadside checkpoints. Minister of State for Transport Sean Canney has confirmed his department is considering adding nitrous oxide to the substances drivers will be tested for when stopped by Gardai. There were 190 road deaths last year, the highest annual number of fatalities since 2014. The Minister, who has responsibility for road safety, said the deaths were “a sobering call to action for all of us to do more to make our roads safer”.
Read the Irish Times article Here
13th January 2026
Inside the Battle for the Future of Addiction Medicine
Elyse Stevens had a reputation for taking on complex medical cases. People who’d been battling addiction for decades. Chronic-pain patients on high doses of opioids. Sex workers and people living on the street. “Many of my patients are messy, the ones that don’t know if they want to stop using drugs or not,” said Stevens, a primary care and addiction medicine doctor specialising in the care of patients with addiction problems.
Read the kkffhealthnews.org article Here
12th January 2026
Rise in young people with ketamine-related bladder issues
Doctors have warned of a rise in the number of young people seeking help for ketamine-related bladder issues. Ketamine, originally intended as an anaesthetic, has become increasingly popular as a recreational drug. The HSE says its research indicated that ketamine is one of the most commonly used substances in nightlife and at festivals. A review of waste water from the Ringsend treatment facility indicated that it was the third most used drug, after cocaine and cannabis. Ketamine addiction requires a tailored addiction treatment and rehab approach.
Read the RTE News article Here
9th January 2026
I stopped paying for food and heating to spend it gambling – my period made it worse
She didn’t go food shopping or have gas to heat her home, but Kiki Marriott made sure she still had electricity and wi-fi to gamble online – and said the addiction got worse around her period. Kiki has sought help for her gambling addiction but is not alone in feeling a greater urge to gamble on her phone at certain times of her menstrual cycle. Now academics are working with a leading gambling harms charity to establish whether there is a link between hormonal fluctuations – caused by periods, ovulation, menopause and childbirth – and gambling addiction. The study has been welcomed by the body which licences and regulates commercial gambling in the UK.
Read the BBC News article Here
8th January 2023
‘Shame trapped me in addiction for 30 years, destroying my life, family and relationships’
A Cork publican who battled alcohol and drug addiction is launching an exhibition to cast light on that darkness and pain and on the redemption of recovery. Michael Droney will launch his exhibition ‘Finding Beautiful’ in an alcohol-free section of one of his pubs, Aye on Anglesea Street in Cork City, this weekend. “Shame trapped me in addiction for 30 years, destroying my life, family and relationships,” Mr Droney said. “Finding Beautiful attempts to show loved ones why the hurt is caused and attempts to lessen the shame of those in addiction or early recovery”.
Read the Irish Examiner article Here
7th January 2026
Merchant’s Quay: Temporary supervised drug injection facility in Dublin to become permanent
Ireland’s first supervised drug injection facility, which opened on a temporary basis at MQI just over one year ago, has secured permanent permission from Dublin City Council. The amenity operated by homeless and addiction charity Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) has been used in excess of 10,000 times by more than 1,000 individuals since it opened on the south Liffey quays in December 2024. Legislation to allow for the facility was enacted in 2017, but permission to operate the service was granted on a temporary basis only and was due to expire in June of this year. Last October MQI applied for planning permission to operate the service on a permanent basis. Permission was granted by the council last month, despite it having refused to approve the temporary facility in 2019. Injecting centres can also link service users in with more traditional addiction rehab and treatment support services.
Read the Irish Times article Here
6th January 2026
One in five vape shops selling addictive products to children, inspections reveal
More than a fifth of vape shops tested are selling the highly addictive vaping devices to children despite a ban on sales to under-18s since 2023. Between January and October last year, 51 retailers were caught selling vapes to children. This represented more than 22 per cent of the 224 shops where inspectors carried out tests to see if the devices would be sold to under-18s. Inspections were carried out by the HSE National Environmental Health Service, which is responsible for enforcing a 2023 law that banned the sale of nicotine-inhaling vaping products to children.
Read the Irish Times article Here
5th January 2026
One doctor’s experience shows the battle for the future of addiction medicine
Dr. Elyse Stevens had a reputation for taking on complex medical cases, including people who’d been battling addiction for decades. Some were chronic-pain patients on high doses of opioids; others were sex workers and people living on the street. “Many of my patients are messy, the ones that don’t know if they want to stop using drugs or not,” said Stevens, a primary care and addiction medicine doctor.While other doctors avoided these patients, Stevens — who was familiar with New Orleans from her time in medical school at Tulane University — sought them out. She regularly attended 6 a.m. breakfasts for homeless people, volunteered at a homeless shelter clinic on Saturdays, and, on Monday evenings, visited an abandoned Family Dollar store where advocates distributed supplies to people who use drugs. This is such a brilliant way to provide addiction rehab and treatment to a vulnerable group of people.
Read the VPN PBS article Here
2nd January 2026
New weekly addiction recovery meeting starting in Laois
The ARC Project (Addiction Recovery Community) is launching a new weekly community based recovery meeting in Portlaoise, offering a welcoming space for people in recovery from addiction, and anyone seeking to strengthen their recovery, in a supportive community setting. ARC’s approach blends peer support with practical tools including creativity, embodiment practices, journaling, and guided self-reflection, giving participants something real to take into everyday life. All ARC meetings and workshops are free to attend, confidential, and open to the wider community. ARC advises a level of commitment where possible so participants can get the full benefit of the addiction recovery programmes.
Read the Laois Live article Here
1st January 2026
A Narrative Review of Digital Addiction and Health: A New Challenge for Modern Medicine
Digital addiction, encompassing problematic use of the internet, smartphones, gaming, and social media, has emerged as a growing global public health concern. This narrative review synthesises current evidence on the epidemiology, neurobiological underpinnings, diagnostic challenges, health consequences, and management strategies for digital addiction. Addiction treatment services need to be tailored to meet the needs of people who are developing problems.
Read the Cureus.com paper Here
31st December 2025
Nutrition key in new alcohol abuse rehabilitation scheme to fight addiction
Researchers at the University of Bournemouth have partnered with a drug charity to launch an alcohol addiction rehabilitation scheme that emphasises the importance of healthy food in recovery. The project – Nourish the New You – looks at the science behind how better nutrition can prevent relapses during withdrawal and is the brainchild of Dr Chloe Casey.
Read the Sky News article Here