SUD Trends and Turning Points

Course overview

0202-0000-26-221-L08-P/T In 2024, the United States saw a nearly 27% drop in drug overdose deaths--the largest annual decline ever recorded. This decrease reflects significant public health efforts focused on expanding access to naloxone, enhancing harm reduction strategies, and increasing support for evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders (SUD). Despite these advancements, new challenges have emerged, including shifting substance use patterns with marijuana and hallucinogen use increasing, an increase in polysubstance, and a rising concern over behavioral addictions such as gambling and technology overuse. Additionally, public health data highlights growing disparities in SUD outcomes among marginalized populations, including higher rates of overdose and limited access to care. This session will examine the current landscape of the substance use epidemic, explore recent trends in SUD and behavioral addictions, and consider their implications for pharmacy practice and broader public health efforts. ¿