Transforming Health Care through Innovative and Impactful Research

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The U.S. Congress first appropriated funds in FY10 to create the Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders Research Program. The program established a network of multidisciplinary, translational research teams with the explicit goal of accelerating the delivery of new or improved pharmacotherapeutics for ASUD.

The program emphasizes the development of pharmacotherapeutics specifically targeting treatment of ASUD with co-occurring PTSD, TBI and other mental health conditions. Following direction from Congress in FY21, the program also aims to reduce the number of opioid-related overdose deaths.

In 2022, deaths from drug overdoses exceeded 109,000, and opioid use caused nearly 80,000 of those deaths. Polysubstance use, the use of multiple substances at the same time or in proximity, increases the risk of overdose, injury, violence, risky sexual behavior, chronic disease, and can lead to alcohol or other substance use disorders.

Service Members and Veterans with deployment histories may be at increased risk of engaging in unhealthy substance use, including heavy drinking, binge drinking and smoking [tobacco]. ASUD often co-occurs with PTSD and increases risk of suicide.

The goal of the funded research is to maximize functioning and quality of life for Service Members and their Families, Veterans and the American public.

The ASUDRP strategic plan outlines the program's approach to identify, evaluate, and advance pharmacotherapies for alcohol, opioid and other substance use disorders through rigorous, collaborative research efforts that translate basic knowledge into evidence-based treatments.