Topic in Focus: Substance Use Disorders

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AMA Update

Rising cervical cancer rates and a new at-home screening test for cervical cancer

Jul 24, 2025 | 10 Min Read
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6 reasons to join the AMA

1 Min Read
Clear Search
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8 Min Read

Physicians see positive role for spirituality in medicine

The AMA backs patient access to spiritual care, one of several new policies patients should know about.

Behavioral Health
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4 Min Read

Opioid crisis needs training emphasis in GME

Physicians adopt policy to expand clinical experience in treating addiction for residents and fellows during training.

ChangeMedEd Initiative
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2 Min Read

AMA applauds Surgeon General report on substance use disorders

“The AMA applauds Surgeon General Murthy for tackling the crisis of drug and alcohol addiction – an issue of vital importance to our patients and communities.”

Press Releases
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4 Min Read

Address patient shame, stigma when treating opioid misuse

The role of shame in patients with opioid use disorders is one topic covered in a physician-led national training and mentoring project. New educational resources address key issues surrounding the treatment of chronic pain and stigma.

Behavioral Health
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2 Min Read

AMA applauds White House mental health parity recommendations

The American Medical Association welcomed today the final recommendations from the White House's Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force.

Press Releases
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5 Min Read

Physicians key to cutting stigma of opioid addiction

Physician efforts have begun to change the landscape of the opioid addiction epidemic. Vigilance is required to support comprehensive pain care and not increase the stigma for patients with real pain.

Behavioral Health
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5 Min Read

Physician efforts to reverse opioid epidemic quantified

Reversing the opioid epidemic requires finding the most effective tools for treatment. New fact sheet offers some quantifiable progress. Physicians are using prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP), medication-assisted treatment and naloxone to fight the battle.

Behavioral Health
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3 Min Read

Surgeon general asks physicians to lead way in fighting opioid epidemic

The U.S. surgeon general wants every physician in the country to talk about and treat opioid abuse as a chronic illness, not a moral failing. Dr. Vivek Murthy believes physicians can make a difference by raising awareness.

Behavioral Health
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8 Min Read

Treating substance use disorder as a family physician

Family physicians can treat a patient’s substance abuse disorder the same as any other chronic medical condition. Knowing the patients and their families well helps reduce stigma of illness.

Behavioral Health