Join me and our expert faculty for Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Review and Update, a virtual conference from the Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy on February 6–7, 2026. More information at buff.ly/H9BgpDP

Join us today, Wednesday, December 10th, at 12:00pm EST for the latest session in our Opioid Response Network webinar series, featuring Amy Yule on "Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders in Youth with Psychiatric Disorders”. Register free: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8bdbae...

Smartphone survey data with AI can predict next-day opioid relapse with high accuracy. Factors like recent substance use, stress, mood and environment were the strongest signals, showing that immediate triggers and accumulated risk over days should inform relapse prevention strategies. #recovery

Dr. John Kelly will join GXC Online 2025 – Mental Health Without Borders to present “From Reducing Harms to Abstinence-Based Remission: Evidence, Outcomes, and Implications.” Session Date and Time: December 5, 2:30–3:30 PM EST Learn more: gxconline.org

During alcohol use disorder treatment, anxiety and depression symptoms generally improve, but not for everyone. While most patients show steady improvement, a subset continue to experience elevated symptoms. jenniblackford.bsky.social www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience

Policies can reduce alcohol use and related harms – by raising alcohol prices, through taxes or by setting minimum prices, and having fewer places to buy alcohol. In contrast, banning discounts does not seem to make much difference. www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience

Among people who inject drugs, co-using opioids and stimulants significantly raises risk: they have 4.5 times greater odds compared to stimulant-only users and are twice as likely to reuse injection supplies. www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos...

Most patients receiving medical detoxification for alcohol know less about withdrawal medications than regular prescriptions. This could be due to the novelty of these short-term withdrawal medications compared to their longer-term regular prescriptions. www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos...

🧪A study found that alcohol cues increased craving and stress responses for all participants, regardless of sex. Those who drank to cope with stress showed stronger stress reactions, suggesting that craving relief itself, drives responses to alcohol cues. www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos...

Adolescent overdose deaths climbed in states with recreational cannabis legalization, especially in male and White teens. Whether the cannabis policy helped cause increased overdoses, however, remains unclear. www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience #marijuana #publicpolicy

One in ten Norwegian high school seniors reported past-year cocaine use. The biggest risk factors were peers and school culture. larsroarf.bsky.social www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience #cocaineuse

Registration is now open for the 2026 Joint Meeting on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery! For more details and to learn more about the conference click here: youthrecoveryanswers.org/conference-r... #JMYPTR2026

Adolescent overdose deaths climbed in states with recreational cannabis legalization, especially among male and White teens. Whether the cannabis policy helped cause increased overdoses, however, remains unclear. Learn more: www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience

🧪In a study testing which policies help reduce overdose, naloxone implementation and related policies helped, while prescribing limits & Medicaid policies had unintended consequences early on. Learn more: www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience #opioids #overdose

🧪Among adults experiencing homelessness in California, methamphetamine use is high, but only 5% are in treatment. Many want help but face barriers, highlighting urgent gaps in care. Read here: www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience #homelessness

Researchers analyzed real user reviews of alcohol reduction apps from credible sources. Only 8 of 400+ apps made the cut; users felt tracking, goal setting, reminders, and gamification helped them reduce drinking. Discover here: www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience

Black individuals with opioid use disorder may avoid buprenorphine or struggle with methadone due to side effects, medical mistrust, and confusing instructions, yet fear of overdose keeps them in treatment. Learn here: www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience

🧪Members of the active recovery community, The Phoenix, felt the most support from others in recovery. Though the structure of their social networks, for example, the number of network members in recovery – was not related to this. www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience

Thank you for celebrating Recovery Month with us! Here’s an easy-to-share infographic with 10 key findings from the National Recovery Study. We hope you enjoy learning about the science of recovery as much as we do! #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience #science #recovery

Among US adults who’ve resolved a substance use problem, 44% attended a mutual-help group, the most common choice for support. While groups like SMART Recovery are less common than AA and other 12-step programs, their popularity is growing. #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience #science #recovery

In the US, 45% of Black individuals in recovery said that spirituality “made all the difference” in their recovery journey, more than any other racial or ethnic group. #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience #science #recovery

Among people who resolved a major drug or alcohol problem, 11% said they used online tools, like virtual recovery meetings, to help with their recovery. This was especially true for those with more serious cases. Since online health resources became more common during the COVID... #RecoveryMonth

In the US, 54% of adults who have resolved a substance use problem do not use alcohol and other drugs, while 46% still use one or more substances. Even though resolving a substance use problem has benefits, those who do not use any substances usually have a higher quality of life... #RecoveryMonth

🧪People recovering from opioid use are less comfortable talking about their substance use history compared to those recovering from other drug problems suggesting there is more self-stigma around opioid use than other primary substances. #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience #science #recovery

Connecting youth to 12-step groups and peer support boosts recovery and mental health after treatment (Kelly, 2016) (Kelly, 2017). #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience

Only 1% of Veterans Affairs patients with stimulant use disorder received contingency management. Middle-aged, Black, or housing-unstable patients were more likely to get it, highlighting gaps in access. Learn more: www.recoveryanswers.org/research-pos... #RecoveryThroughScience

🧪Of the 22 million US adults in the National Recovery Study, there are many primary substances used, including drugs like opioids, stimulants, and cannabis. However, most people —51%—say that alcohol is their primary substance reflecting the high prevalence of alcohol use disorder. #RecoveryMonth

Age matters: During early post-treatment, young people with substance use disorder become more engaged and have better substance use outcomes if they attend mutual-help meetings where other youth are present (Kelly, 2008). #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience

On average, it takes 15 years for someone in recovery to reach a quality of life similar to the general population. But there is hope - earlier access to recovery resources such as those available at peer recovery support centers, can help reduce this time to about 5 years. #RecoveryThroughScience

Most who suffer will recover - through treatment, mutual-help, and other recovery supports; many also recover on their own. #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience #science #recovery

On average, it takes people between 2 and 5 tries to resolve a substance use problem. Individuals with more serious or long-term substance use histories usually need additional recovery attempts, typically taking them another try or two to achieve recovery. #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience

For US adults who have resolved a substance use problem, 45% consider themselves "in recovery." But recovery looks different for everyone: over 60% haven't had formal treatment, and 40% still use one or more substances. #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience #science #recovery

You are surrounded by recovery, in fact, 23 million Americans – 1 in 10 US adults - are in recovery. #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience #science #recovery

Nearly 1 in 10 US adults have resolved a significant drug or alcohol use problem. That’s 22 million people with lived recovery experience. #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryThroughScience #science #recovery

Through September, the Recovery Research Institute will join other organizations to highlight recovery science. Keep an eye on RRI social media for the latest addiction treatment and recovery research, shareable visuals, and findings from the National Recovery Study. #RecoveryMonth

Dr. John Kelly emphasizes the importance of innovation when it comes to youth addiction recovery. Watch the rest of the 2025 JMYPTR opening remarks here: buff.ly/QycpGpA #RecoveryThroughScience #recovery #JMYPTR2026

Join us for the quarterly webinar series, sponsored by the Opioid Response Network and the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, focusing on youth substance use treatment and recovery. Dr. Emily Hennessy will speak Wed, Sept 24th at 12:00pm EST. events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c4418a...

🧪Is your child struggling with marijuana, alcohol, or other drug use? Your child may be eligible for an online research study to test a new clinical treatment compared to standard care for marijuana, alcohol, or other drug problems for free. Learn more: rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/youthr...

People with riskier or more severe opioid use—like those using heroin or fentanyl—are more likely to have naloxone (also known as Narcan) and to know where to find it compared to those using oxycodone only. Click on the link in the bio to learn more #RecoveryThroughScience

Why focus on youth and adolescents when researching addiction recovery? Learn more at the Recovery Research Institute YouTube Channel: @RecoveryAnswers #RecoveryThroughScience #recovery #addiction #science

🧪Access to opioid use disorder treatment expanded during the pandemic—thanks to telehealth. From 2020 to 2021, programs using telehealth jumped from 51% to 88%, helping more people start and stay in care. Link in the bio #RecoveryThroughScience

Dr. John Kelly, Founder and Director of the Recovery Research Institute, is the new Chief, Division of Addiction Treatment and Prevention for Mass General Brigham (MGB) Academic Medical Centers (AMC) Department of Psychiatry (AMC Psychiatry) @drjohnkelly.bsky.social @massgeneralbrigham.bsky.social

Are you a young person who’s questioning whether your marijuana, alcohol, or other drug use is too much? You may be eligible for an online research study to test a new clinical treatment compared to standard care for alcohol or other drug problems. rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/youthr...

Save the Date! The 2026 Joint Meeting on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery (JMYPTR) will take place March 24–26, 2026 and we’re thrilled to announce that our Call for Proposals opens TODAY (July 24, 2025)! Learn more here: youthrecoveryanswers.org/national-con... #JMYPTR2026 #science

What does the public want to know about addiction? A study found 9 categories of questions people ask about addiction—from treatment and prevention to stigma and drug policy. The most common topics varied by addiction type. link in bio #RecoveryThroughScience #recovery (Image source: Kelly, 2025)

What are digital recovery support services? Learn more here: youtu.be/EGL2XQdjQDE #RecoveryThroughScience #recovery #digitalsupport

🧪Last week, a congressional briefing brought together leading experts to share the latest science on addressing the national crisis of substance use disorder, treatment, and recovery. The event featured powerful insights from: Dr. John Kelly Dr. Nora Volkow Dr. Aaron Hogue Dr. Noel Vest #Recovery

🧪A 2019 model found that while recovery coaching cost $3 billion, it led to 570,000 more healthy life years and 320,000 more people in recovery within three years. From a societal view, it saved nearly $6 billion in 2019. Link in bio #RecoveryThroughScience #RecoveryCoaching

Varenicline, also known by the brand name Chantix, helps young people quit vaping. When combined with 12 weeks of behavioral support, young people assigned to receive varenicline were much more likely to stop vaping than those assigned to placebo or just behavioral support. (link in bio). #science

🧪For people taking opioid use disorder medication, stimulant use increases overdose risk, but only for those taking methadone. More in the Recovery Bulletin (link in bio). #RecoveryThroughScience #science #addiction #opioids