Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorders
Where We Stand
The American College of Physicians supports increased availability and coverage of mental and behavioral health services, including increased integration of behavioral health services in primary care practices. ACP also supports appropriate and effective efforts to reduce all substance abuse. We recognize substance abuse as a chronic medical condition, and we believe that there needs to be greater emphasis on prevention, education, aftercare, and treatment.
Policies
Substance Use Disorder
- Regulatory Framework for Cannabis: A Position Paper from the American College of Physicians 7/23/2024
- Excessive Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use Disorders: A Policy Brief of the American College of Physicians 4/22/2024
- Position Statement on Decreasing Barriers to Prescribe Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder 4/25/2022
- Position Statement on Harm Reduction Strategies for Substance Use Disorders including Overdose Prevention Sites and Fentanyl Test Strips 4/25/2022
- Health and Public Policy to Facilitate Effective Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 2017
- Prescription Drug Abuse 2013
Tobacco Use
Latest Advocacy Efforts
- LetterJoint Letter to U.S. Senate Appropriations Committees Supporting Funding for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Activities 3/18/2026
- LetterJoint Letter to U.S. House Appropriations Committees Supporting Funding for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Activities 3/18/2026
- LetterJoint Letter to Congressional Appropriators Supporting Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office on Smoking and Health 10/31/2025
- LetterJoint Comment Letter to FDA regarding Tobacco Product Standard for Nicotine Yield of Cigarettes and Certain Other Combusted Tobacco Products Proposed Rule 8/25/2025
- StatementJoint Issue Brief on Improving Access to Naloxone July 2025
- LetterACP Comments to the Office of National Drug Control Policy Regarding the 2026 National Drug Control Strategy 6/18/2025
- LetterJoint Letter to Sec. Kennedy Expressing Concern About the Effect of HHS Workforce Reductions on Federal Tobacco use Prevention and Control Programs 5/21/2025
- LetterJoint Letter to Senate Appropriation Committee Supporting Funding for the CDC Office on Smoking and Health 4/30/2025
Search the ACP Policy Library
To access everything ACP has said related to Medicare reform issues search all policy statements, copies of testimony, and letters to government and non-government officials.