The Changing Approach to Addiction — From Incarceration to Treatment and Recovery Support

It’s been more than 50 years since the United States launched a “war on drugs.” History has demonstrated the ineffectiveness of “tough-oncrime” drug-use policies, including laws requiring mandatory minimum sentencing for possession of illicit drugs. Meanwhile, advances in the recognition of substance use disorder (SUD) as a treatable medical condition have led to the development of lifesaving evidence-based pharmacotherapies and psychosocial interventions. Further advancement in treating SUD will require both shortterm and long-term strategies. Many evidence-based protocols still rely on short-term interventions typically delivered over 12 weeks. But increasing the likelihood of sustained remission often requires years of complementary efforts addressing broader social needs alongside ongoing clinical care.