Stimulant use is on the rise in the United States, but many who need help do not receive it. There are no medications that have been officially approved by the FDA to treat stimulant use disorders, limiting access to evidence-based care. Still, some medication treatments have shown promising results in clinical studies.
Getting effective treatment for those who need it is not simple. It takes teamwork and consideration of factors across healthcare, communities, research, and policy to overcome barriers to medication access for stimulant use disorders.
Our research is working to change that. After hearing from substance use treatment care teams and people with lived experience of substance use disorder, we learned that targeted resources for both providers and patients may be one strategy to help promote the wider acceptance of medication for stimulant use disorders. Our goal is to make effective medication for stimulant use disorders easier to understand, use, and trust, helping more people access care and move toward recovery.
Note: On this page, we use the term “medication for stimulant use disorder,” while others may refer to it as “medication-assisted treatment.” Both terms describe similar approaches to care. This initiative intentionally moves away from “medication-assisted treatment” to reduce stigma – recognizing that the language we use can shape perceptions and influence how people seek and receive treatment.
