Recovery Research Institute

01/15/2026

Outcomes for individuals in the hospital with alcohol-related liver disease can be lethal – mortality rates are high and follow up with treatment is low. This study showed that, while health risks are indeed dire, at least for some patients monetary rewards may help increase attendance at an Intensive Liver Care program, combining physical and mental health services. See the image for more details about this treatment.

Learn more here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/severity-illness-makes-difficult-carry-out-study-contingency-management-for-alcohol-related-liver-disease/

01/14/2026

CHEARR and JEAP Invesigators Kristyn Zajac, Ashli Sheidow, and Tess Drazdowski are Guest Editors of a special issue of the journal Emerging Adulthood focused on recovery from substance use disorders. Please consider submitting your manuscripts and sharing with colleagues - the deadline is March 1, 2026. Learn more here:https://journals.sagepub.com/pb-assets/cmscontent/EAX/Special%20Issue%20Call%20for%20Papers_EA%20Recovery%208-25-1754648741.pdf

01/13/2026

For people in the ED after an overdose, community follow-up with recovery coaching was associated with reduced risk for a later fatal overdose. But the most severe patients were less likely to receive this follow-up. Findings highlight the critical role of post-ED follow-up and the importance of ensuring sustained contact in overdose prevention efforts.

Learn more here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/successful-follow-up-peer-based-intervention-associated-reduced-overdose/

01/08/2026

Researchers developed a shortened, reliable questionnaire to measure self-stigma in alcohol use disorder. Higher self-stigma was linked to greater shame, lower self-esteem, and less confidence to stay abstinent.

Learn more here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/validating-shortened-measure-self-stigma-implications-treatment-recovery/

01/07/2026

Children who begin using substances by adolescence show subtle differences in brain regions involved in decision-making and impulse control - in many cases these differences were present before substance use began, suggesting an underlying vulnerability rather than an effect of use itself.

Learn more here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/does-brain-structure-predict-early-substance-use-initiation/

01/05/2026

We would like to share this unique webinar series for people interested in learning more about mindfulness for addiction treatment and recovery. The series will feature experts in the field like Jud Brewer, Sarah Bowen, Eric Garland, Kevin Griffin, Felipe Kalatauma Rosario, and Zev Schuman-Olivier, who will cover the current state of the science around mindfulness and addictions, provide guidance on integrating mindfulness into care for the treatment of addictions, and demonstrate the role it can play in sustaining long-term recovery. Lectures will incorporate the opportunity to practice and learn how to lead evidence-based experiential practices that have been proven to benefit people with substance use disorders (SUD) or behavioral addictions. If you want to feel more comfortable teaching mindfulness to people with addictive disorders, applying mindfulness and self-compassion skills to your work with people with SUD, or understand the state of science for mindfulness among people with addiction or SUD, then this is a great opportunity. Fridays Jan. 9 – Feb. 13, 2026 ⬥ 12 – 1:30 PM ET. Continuing Education credits are available.

An overview of the science and experience of using contemplative practice to treat addictive disorders

01/05/2026

Children who begin using substances by adolescence show subtle differences in brain regions involved in decision-making and impulse control - in many cases these differences were present before substance use began, suggesting an underlying vulnerability rather than an effect of use itself.

Learn more here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/does-brain-structure-predict-early-substance-use-initiation/

01/01/2026

Alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. nearly doubled between 1999 and 2024, with the highest rates observed among men, middle-aged adults, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. Deaths notably spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to alcoholic liver disease.

Learn more here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/trends-in-alcohol-mortality-rates-before-during-and-after-covid-19-pandemic/

12/31/2025

In a study of whether substance use treatments work for black individuals, empirically-supported behavioral treatments did no better than treatment-as-usual for co***ne or opioid outcomes. While contingency management produced better co***ne outcomes than treatment-as-usual in the short-term, once rewards are removed outcomes get worse.

Learn more here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/psychosocial-treatments-black-people-do-they-benefit/

12/31/2025

Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma are at much higher risk of su***de and opioid overdose, and often at younger ages. Female veterans also face higher risk, underscoring the need for targeted support.

Learn more here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/female-veteran-survivors-sexual-trauma-die-by-su***de-overdose-younger-than-peers/

12/29/2025

In a year-long study of people working toward alcohol recovery, about one-third achieved NIAAA-defined recovery, marked by no symptoms and either abstinence or low-risk drinking. The abstinent group not only had the most stable recovery but also saw the greatest improvements in mental health, quality of life, and recovery functioning despite being more severe to begin with.

Learn more here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/unpacking-niaaas-recovery-definition/

12/24/2025

Many with alcohol use disorder don’t begin a medication like naltrexone when they are treated in the emergency department. Clinicians often know how to identify alcohol use disorder but feel unprepared to prescribe naltrexone due to limited knowledge, stigma, and workflow barriers. Patients face barriers too, including lack of information and challenges accessing follow-up care.

Learn more here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/naltrexone-initiated-emergency-department-why-underused-what-to-do-about-it/