# Substance Abuse * **Definition:** The harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs, leading to addiction and negative consequences. * **Taxonomy:** Healthcare Topics / Substance Abuse ## News * Selected news on the topic of **Substance Abuse**, for healthcare technology leaders * 8.3K news items are in the system for this topic * Posts have been filtered for tech and healthcare-related keywords | Date | Title | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | 5/28/2025 | [**California Assembly Advances Bill to Expose Patients to Doctor Substance Abuse, Says ...**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/california-assembly-advances-bill-to-expose-patients-to-doctor-substance-abuse-says-consumer-watchdog-302467473.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 5/23/2025 | [**Pride Health hiring Behavioral Health Tech - Substance Abuse in Danvers, MA - LinkedIn**](https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/behavioral-health-tech-substance-abuse-at-pride-health-4236134848) | [[Linkedin]] | | 5/9/2025 | [**Trump to build national center for homeless veterans with funds previously spent on housing ...**](https://www.aol.com/trump-build-national-center-homeless-183645411.html) | [[AOL]] | | 5/5/2025 | [**Trump releases 2026 budget including heavy healthcare cuts**](https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/trump-white-house-budget-healthcare-hhs-cuts/747062/) | [[Healthcare Dive]] | | 4/24/2025 | [**Pete Davidson's “Pretty Horrible” Tattoo Removal Process Costs $$ and Can Go On for 10 Years**](https://www.aol.com/pete-davidson-pretty-horrible-tattoo-170100274.html) | [[AOL]] | | 4/17/2025 | [**How WellSpan builds the next generation of leaders, invests in workforce performance**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/how-wellspan-builds-the-next-generation-of-leaders-invests-in-workforce-performance/) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 3/19/2025 | [**Online games may be an effective intervention to help adolescents reduce substance abuse**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-online-games-effective-intervention-adolescents.html) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 2/12/2025 | [**Ozempic 'Significantly' Lowered 'Alcohol Craving' in First Clinical Trial, with Those ... - AOL.com**](https://www.aol.com/ozempic-significantly-lowered-alcohol-craving-205807711.html) | [[AOL]] | | 2/8/2025 | [**The Double-Edged Screen: Online Platforms Can Be a Force for Good for Kids**](https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/114129) | [[Medpage Today]] | | 1/31/2025 | [**COVID-19 pandemic drove significant rise in patients choosing to leave ERs before medically recommended, study suggests**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-covid-pandemic-drove-significant-patients.html) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 1/29/2025 | [**Georgia Supreme Court chief pitches need for better tech, safety across state's judicial system**](https://www.yahoo.com/news/georgia-supreme-court-chief-pitches-232710299.html) | [[Yahoo]] | | 1/23/2025 | [**Stressed out business leaders are creating a breakdown in the management talent pipeline**](https://fortune.com/2025/01/23/stressed-business-leaders-considering-leaving-management-pipeline-threat/) | [[Fortune]] | | 12/18/2024 | [**Key Trends Reshaping The Future Of U.S. Healthcare**](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2024/12/19/key-trends-reshaping-the-future-of-us-healthcare/) | [[Forbes]] | | 11/23/2024 | [**Canada Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment Market By Application - LinkedIn**](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/canada-substance-abuse-addiction-treatment-market-application-efw6e/) | [[Linkedin]] | | 11/23/2024 | [**Canada Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment Market By Application - LinkedIn**](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/canada-substance-abuse-addiction-treatment-market-application-efw6e) | [[Linkedin]] | | 11/20/2024 | [**Navy Shutters Premier East Coast Substance Abuse Program Amid Staffing Shortages**](https://www.yahoo.com/news/navy-shutters-premier-east-coast-165140707.html) | [[Yahoo]] | | 8/29/2024 | [**Why Is IOP the Most Effective Treatment for Substance Abuse?**](https://healthcareguys.com/2024/08/29/why-is-iop-the-most-effective-treatment-for-substance-abuse/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-is-iop-the-most-effective-treatment-for-substance-abuse) | [[The Healthcare Guys]] | | 8/26/2024 | [**PRIMEFOCUS AND MARSHALL HEALTH NETWORK COLLABORATE ON NEW ... - PR Newswire**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/primefocus-and-marshall-health-network-collaborate-on-new-healthcare-service-solution-302230457.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 8/26/2024 | [**PRIMEFOCUS AND MARSHALL HEALTH NETWORK COLLABORATE ON NEW ... - Morningstar**](https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20240826ny91125/primefocus-and-marshall-health-network-collaborate-on-new-healthcare-service-solution) | [[Morningstar]] | | 8/26/2024 | [**PRIMEFOCUS AND MARSHALL HEALTH NETWORK COLLABORATE ON NEW ... - Yahoo Finance**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/primefocus-marshall-health-network-collaborate-140000129.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 7/24/2024 | [**VSee Health to Provide Telehealth and Billing Services to SkywardRx Clients - Stock Titan**](https://www.stocktitan.net/news/VSEE/v-see-health-to-provide-telehealth-and-billing-services-to-skyward-oyu3osr2nkty.html) | stocktitan.net | | 7/24/2024 | [**VSee Health to Provide Telehealth and Billing Services to SkywardRx Clients**](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240724534193/en/VSee-Health-to-Provide-Telehealth-and-Billing-Services-to-SkywardRx-Clients) | [[Business Wire]] | | 7/24/2024 | [**VSee Health to Provide Telehealth and Billing Services to SkywardRx Clients**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240724534193/en/VSee-Health-to-Provide-Telehealth-and-Billing-Services-to-SkywardRx-Clients/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-RLXHJgazfQJNuOVHefdHP-D8R-QU5o2AvY8bhI9uvWSD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ieT3WxPE8m_kWI77F87CseT) | [[Business Wire]] | | 6/17/2024 | [**Healthcare Luminaries Headline the 2024 Population Health Alliance Innovation and Adoption Summit- Oct 23-24, 2024**](https://www.prweb.com/releases/healthcare-luminaries-headline-the-2024-population-health-alliance-innovation-and-adoption-summit--oct-23-24-2024-302172716.html) | [[PRWeb]] | | 6/17/2024 | [**SpineThera, Inc. to Collaborate With Mayo Clinic to Advance Solutions in Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240617603300/en/SpineThera-Inc.-to-Collaborate-With-Mayo-Clinic-to-Advance-Solutions-in-Substance-Abuse-Disorder-Treatment/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-RLXHJgazfQJNuOVHefdHP-D8R-QU5o2AvY8bhI9uvWSD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ieT3WxPE8m_kWI77F87CseT) | [[Business Wire]] | ## Topic Overview (Some LLM-derived content — please confirm with above primary sources) ### Key Players - **SAMHSA**: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which provides funding and support for substance use disorder initiatives. - **Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)**: A federal agency focused on improving access to mental health and substance use disorder services. - **Mayo Clinic**: A leading medical institution collaborating with SpineThera to improve treatment outcomes for substance use disorders. - **National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)**: A federal agency that provides funding for research and clinical trials aimed at understanding and treating substance use disorders. - **Hoag Hospital**: A healthcare provider expanding its substance abuse treatment facilities to address rising overdose rates. - **SpineThera, Inc.**: A biotechnology company focused on developing long-acting injectable drugs for substance abuse treatment. - **Cedars-Sinai**: A healthcare institution implementing the START program, which connects patients with substance abuse issues to medication-based treatment services after hospital discharge. - **PursueCare**: A provider of FDA-authorized digital therapeutics for treating substance use disorders, offering self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy programs through an app. - **Marshall Health Network**: An academic health system collaborating with Primefocus Health to address regional healthcare issues, including substance abuse. - **Eleanor Health**: An online addiction treatment provider focused on scaling virtual and in-person care services for substance use disorders. - **B. More Inc.**: A non-profit biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for substance use disorders, particularly through innovative approaches like psilocybin therapy. - **Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.**: A leading provider of behavioral healthcare services, recognized for its commitment to high-quality addiction treatment. - **Workit Health**: A telehealth clinic providing online treatment for substance use disorders, focusing on accessible and evidence-based care. - **Kipu Health**: A provider of cloud-based electronic medical record services, emphasizing technology's role in addressing addiction crises. - **Health Net**: A healthcare provider offering special assistance and telehealth services to members affected by emergencies, including substance abuse programs. - **Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions**: A provider focused on improving access to mental health and substance abuse treatment through innovative outpatient models. - **American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners (ASKP3)**: An organization emphasizing safety standards in ketamine treatment, particularly for patients with a history of substance abuse. - **Dr. Michael Bogenschutz**: A leading researcher in psychedelic medicine, conducting clinical trials to evaluate psilocybin as a treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. - **Confidant Health**: A healthcare provider that experienced a data breach exposing sensitive mental health and substance abuse treatment records. ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Carrum Health**: Partnering with health systems to implement value-based care programs targeting substance use disorder. - **SpineThera and Mayo Clinic**: Collaborating to develop innovative long-acting injectable drugs for substance abuse treatment. - **VSee Health and SkywardRx**: Partnering to provide telehealth and billing services to enhance patient access for substance abuse treatment. - **Vital Data Technology and Mid-State Health Network**: Implementing predictive data models to identify at-risk populations for substance use disorders and improve access to integrated health services. - **Talkspace and Bicycle Health**: Partnership to expand access to virtual care and mental health services for patients with substance use disorders. - **Alliance Health and Cityblock**: A partnership aimed at enhancing healthcare access for Medicaid beneficiaries with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. - **Marshall Health Network and Primefocus Health**: A collaboration aimed at addressing healthcare challenges in West Virginia, focusing on substance abuse and utilizing innovative technology. - **B. More Inc. and NYU Langone Center**: Collaboration to conduct a clinical trial assessing psilocybin's efficacy in treating Opioid Use Disorder. - **Digital SAFE-T Program**: Developed by UC Davis Health, this program collaborates with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences to support individuals reentering society after incarceration. - **Tufts Medicine and Sanford Health**: Partnership to implement an EHR tool that identifies veteran patients, enhancing access to healthcare services for veterans, including mental health and substance abuse support. - **Collaborative Bridges and HealthEC**: Working together to improve care coordination for patients needing crisis stabilization after behavioral health hospitalizations. - **Cityblock Health and Alliance Health**: Integrating medical and behavioral health services for Medicaid-eligible members in North Carolina. - **Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model**: A federal initiative aimed at integrating behavioral health with primary care, targeting Medicare and Medicaid patients with severe mental health conditions. - **Ontrak and Sentara Health Plans**: Expanding partnership to enhance behavioral healthcare services and improve access for members facing physical and behavioral health challenges. - **Health Net, Dignity Health, and Vivant Health**: Collaborated on a care management initiative to improve patient outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries in California, successfully avoiding unnecessary inpatient hospital days. - **Notable Partnerships**: Collaborations with various healthcare providers to simplify and optimize healthcare operations. ### Innovations, Trends, and Initiatives - **Community Health Centers (CHCs) Initiatives**: CHCs are increasingly addressing substance abuse, with a significant rise in treatment offerings and medication-assisted treatment. - **Community-Based Prevention Services**: Local initiatives aimed at educating and preventing substance abuse through community engagement. - **Integration of Smoking Cessation Programs**: Research advocating for the inclusion of smoking cessation in substance use treatment strategies to combat the opioid epidemic. - **START Program**: Cedars-Sinai's initiative that pairs addiction specialists with social workers to create personalized post-discharge care plans for patients with substance abuse issues. - **Holistic Treatment Approaches**: The CNX Foundation Substance Recovery Unit employs a holistic, patient-centered, and trauma-informed approach to treat substance use disorders. - **Digital Game-Based Interventions**: Research exploring how digital games can help adolescents reduce substance abuse by engaging them online, emphasizing personalized and competitive elements. - **Psychedelic Research**: Growing interest in the therapeutic use of psychedelics for treating substance use disorders, despite regulatory challenges. - **Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)**: Recognized as effective treatment options combining structured therapy with flexibility for individuals with substance use disorders. - **Multi-Tiered System of Support**: Stillwater Public Schools' initiative to enhance mental health support and substance abuse prevention through a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health. - **Prescription Digital Therapeutics (PDTs)**: Clinically evaluated software-based treatments showing promise in addressing substance abuse and mental health disorders. - **Digital Therapeutics**: PursueCare launched RESET and RESET-O, FDA-authorized digital therapeutics for substance use disorders, showing effectiveness in reducing substance use and improving treatment retention. - **Montana's Opioid Treatment Program Changes**: Implementing new SAMHSA guidelines to improve patient safety and retention in opioid treatment. - **Ketamine Therapy Standards**: ASKP3 calls for clear treatment guidelines to ensure safe and effective ketamine therapy for patients with substance abuse histories. - **Telehealth Expansion**: The DEA's extension of telemedicine prescriptions for scheduled drugs, crucial for patients with mental health and substance use disorders. - **Behavioral Health Tech 2024 Conference**: Focusing on technology and innovation to improve access to mental health and substance use care, showcasing advancements in telehealth and digital therapeutics. - **EHR Implementation by Palmer Addiction Recovery Services**: Adopting Cantata Health Solutions' Arize platform to enhance services for women and children in addiction recovery. - **Crisis Care Access and Response Expansion for Behavioral Health Act of 2024**: Proposed legislation to establish a Medicare demonstration program for crisis stabilization services, enhancing access to behavioral health care. - **Holon Vibe**: A digital therapeutic app launched by Holon Health to support individuals with substance use disorders by enhancing motivation and coping skills. ### Challenges and Concerns - **Substance Abuse Stigma**: Despite advancements in treatment access, stigma surrounding mental health and substance use continues to hinder individuals from seeking help. - **Fraud in Substance Abuse Treatment**: Concerns over unethical practices in substance abuse treatment facilities, as evidenced by the indictment of individuals involved in fraudulent schemes. - **Economic Burden**: Substance abuse costs the U.S. economy over $740 billion annually due to crime, lost productivity, and healthcare costs. - **Data Management**: Healthcare organizations face challenges in managing data effectively, impacting the delivery of care for substance use disorders. - **Staffing Shortages in Treatment Programs**: The Navy's suspension of its residential substance abuse treatment program due to staffing shortages highlights ongoing challenges in providing adequate care. - **Access to Care**: Significant barriers remain in accessing substance use treatment, particularly in rural areas and among vulnerable populations. - **Regulatory Barriers**: Restrictive policies and inadequate funding hinder research and treatment options for substance use disorders. - **Stigma in Substance Use Discussions**: Concerns about discriminatory language in discussions about substance use disorders, advocating for person-first language to foster respectful dialogue. - **Workforce Challenges**: Ongoing issues related to workforce retention in healthcare, particularly in addressing burnout and staffing shortages that affect the delivery of substance abuse treatment. - **Regulatory Gaps in Long-Term Care**: Calls for CMS to enforce regulations ensuring adequate treatment for seniors with substance abuse disorders in long-term care facilities. - **Mental Health Crisis**: Rising rates of mental health issues, including substance use disorders, necessitate urgent improvements in care delivery and access. - **Mental Health Parity Issues**: Recent legal changes threaten the progress made towards mental health parity, potentially affecting access to substance abuse treatment. - **Funding for Recovery Programs**: Washington state leaders emphasize the need to prioritize existing substance abuse recovery programs amid projected budget deficits. - **Regulatory Challenges**: Concerns regarding the DEA's proposed rules for telemedicine that may restrict access to care for substance use disorders. - **Workforce Shortages**: Community health centers face significant shortages of primary care and mental health professionals, impacting substance abuse treatment availability. - **Public Drug Use Crisis**: In areas like Nubian Square, increased public drug use and homelessness highlight the need for more comprehensive addiction services and community support. - **Access to Treatment**: Significant disparities in access to medication for opioid use disorder services, particularly for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. - **Implementation of Mental Health Parity**: Challenges in enforcing mental health and substance use disorder coverage comparable to other medical conditions. - **Patient Trust Issues**: Factors influencing early departures from emergency departments include distrust in healthcare providers and substance abuse disorders. - **Mental Health Parity Lawsuit**: A lawsuit challenging a federal rule aimed at ensuring access to affordable mental health services, raising concerns about the potential impact on coverage for substance abuse disorders.