Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual's life experiences.  People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. 

Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases.

Many substances associated with addiction, such as tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs, are regulated on the federal and state levels in different ways and to varying degrees. Below you will find resources to help you advocate for increased access to addiction treatment services as well as ASAM’s policy positions on current policy issues.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 2019: SAMHSA's September 2020 Presentation

Buprenorphine/naloxone, buprenorphine, methadone and extended-release injectable naltrexone are FDA-approved medications shown to be highly effective in the treatment of opioid addiction, a chronic, life-threatening disease that affects millions of Americans. As with most chronic diseases, opioid addiction often requires long-term medication maintenance to achieve optimal outcomes.

Regulation of Office-Based Opioid Treatment

OBOT promotes the treatment of addiction in the primary care setting, but ASAM understands that the use of controlled substances to treat addiction introduces the possibility of misuse and diversion of the very medications used for treatment.

Substance Use, Misuse, and Use Disorders During and Following Pregnancy, with an Emphasis on Opioids

Learn more about ASAM's policy recommendations on substance use, misuse, and SUDs during and following pregnancy.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)

Find out more about PDMPs and ASAM's recommendations on how they should be regulated.

Confronting an Epidemic: The Case for Eliminating Barriers to Medication-Assisted Treatment of Heroin and Opioid Addiction 

The Legal Action Center summarizes the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the three FDA-approved medications for opioid addiction and what insurance and legal barriers prevent doctors from prescribing them and patients from accessing them.

How States Handle Drug Use During Pregnancy

Created by ProPublica, this tool summarizes the legal issues facing pregnant women across the country who are engaged in drug use. Many women face charges of child abuse or other crimes when their newborns test positive for both illicit and licit drugs, resulting in mothers losing their children or being put behind bars. These laws have devastating effects on the health and well being of the child and the mother.

The evolving legal landscape and public perception surrounding cannabis regulation in the United States is giving rise to increased availability and use of cannabis and cannabis products. It is ASAM’s viewpoint that it is imperative that Americans promote and adopt public policies that protect public health and safety as well as protect the integrity of our nation’s pharmaceutical approval process, which is grounded in well-designed and executed clinical research. Currently, the legalization of cannabis in some states but not others provides a unique opportunity for a thorough investigation into the societal and public health impact of broader cannabis use. Use the resources below to advocate for how a jurisdiction can best protect and promote public health as they consider the legal status of marijuana use.

Public Policy Statement on Cannabis

In light of the evolving legal landscape surrounding cannabis in the United States, which is giving rise to increased availability and use of cannabis and cannabis products, it is imperative that Americans promote and adopt public policies that protect public health and safety as well as protect the integrity of our nation’s pharmaceutical approval process, which is grounded in well-designed and executed clinical research.  

FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products Q&A

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a frequently asked questions and answers document in response to growing interest in the development of therapies and other consumer products derived from cannabis and its components, including cannabidiol (CBD).

Alcohol and other drug addiction is a major public health problem, accounting for significant morbidity and mortality across all segments of the population. ASAM advocates for a wide range of policies that relate to alcohol including increasing education, especially for minors and vulnerable populations, on the negative health effects of alcohol use and increasing access to treatment for alcohol use disorder.

According to a 2014 Surgeon General Report, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States. More than 480,000 people die each year from smoking cigarettes, many of whom live with significant disability prior to death; it is reported that smoking cigarettes kills over time 50% of the people who use them.¹

ASAM works closely with other organizations in coalitions to advance policies and regulations that protect public health and reduce the incidence of smoking, as well as other tobacco use, in the US.

E-Cigarettes

Learn more about ASAM's public policy statement on e-cigarettes.