Unveiling ASAM’s New Strategic Plan

This plan is the result of year-long conversations amongst ASAM leaders and thoughtful contributions from members. This collaboration and feedback played an integral part in shaping this plan. 

As we began this process in 2025, new policy challenges and headwinds emerged that will continue to impact our workforce and our ability to expand access to evidence-based care. Meanwhile, substance use continues to rapidly evolve, with new adulterants and substances entering the supply. The legalization and aggressive promotion of online sports betting have rightly raised concerns about gambling use disorders and other behavioral addictions. Research on potential new treatments, such as GLP-1s, is also growing. 

Amid these new challenges and opportunities, our dedication to supporting clinicians and patients stands strong. Our central mission and vision will continue to guide us over the next four years: 

Vision: A future when addiction prevention, treatment, remission, and recovery are accessible to all, and profoundly improve the health of all people.  

Mission: To be the physician-led professional community for those who prevent, treat, and promote remission and recovery from the disease of addiction, and to provide resources for continuing innovation, advancement, and implementation of addiction science and care.  

The following refreshed strategic goals will steer ASAM’s future initiatives. 

Educate the Addiction Workforce, Patients, and Peers 

ASAM will continue to create premier educational programs that equip clinicians with the resources, knowledge, and confidence to prevent and treat addiction. As the field changes, ASAM is committed to helping our members stay up to date on leading-edge science and clinical best practices. We will do this by pursuing innovative educational formats and delivery models, ranging from in-person conference events to digital courses. 

Patients, who are at the heart of our mission, deserve reliable information about addiction and high-quality care. ASAM will lean into patient education as well as discoverability by social media, search and AI. 

Set Standards for High-Quality, Science-Based Addiction Care 

The science is clear: addiction is a treatable chronic disease. To improve outcomes and support the health of all people, we will continue developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and promote their use across healthcare settings. We will also encourage the adoption of new science and technology to advance quality care. This is how we put science into practice. 

Expand Access to Addiction Care 

There is a persistent and dangerous addiction treatment gap. Inadequate coverage and regulatory hurdles, among other challenges, continue to limit access to care. Addressing these barriers and connecting people with evidence-based treatment is essential. To that end, we will continue to champion addiction care for all and advocate for comprehensive benefit coverage and improved reimbursement. These are necessary to close the treatment gap and support clinicians on the frontlines of the addiction and overdose crisis. 

Grow and Support the Addiction Medicine Workforce 

Our country faces an ongoing shortage of addiction treatment professionals. We remain dedicated to growing and strengthening the workforce so patients across America can receive expert-delivered addiction treatment. In the years ahead, we will also focus on providing all ASAM members with resources to enhance their careers and support them as they treat addiction and save lives.  

Steward Resources Wisely and Efficiently 

Ensuring the health and longevity of our organization is vital to achieving the above goals. As the addiction crisis evolves and new challenges emerge, we’re committed to ensuring that ASAM has the resources and staffing to meet them head-on and drive the field of addiction medicine forward.   

More information about the initiatives under each goal will be shared in the upcoming months. Together, we can bring about a future when addiction prevention, treatment, remission, and recovery are accessible to all.