Addiction Disorders Drugs Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented Type (Tobacco/Nicotine & Vaping, Alcohol, Marijuana, Synthetic Cannabinoids, Prescription & Over-the-Counter Medications, Others), By End-Use (Hospitals, Clinics, Rehabilitation Centers, Others), By Region, and By Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 12.31 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	10.03%
Fastest Growing Segment	Alcohol
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 21.84 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Addiction Disorders Drugs Market will grow from USD 12.31 Billion in 2025 to USD 21.84 Billion by 2031 at a 10.03% CAGR. Addiction disorder therapeutics encompass pharmaceutical interventions designed to manage substance dependency, including opioids, alcohol, and nicotine, by mitigating withdrawal symptoms and suppressing cravings. The market is primarily propelled by the escalating global incidence of substance use disorders and the concurrent expansion of government-sponsored rehabilitation programs that facilitate broader access to medication-assisted treatment. Furthermore, the rising integration of pharmacotherapy into primary care settings and increased public health funding for addiction mitigation strategies serve as fundamental catalysts for sector growth.

However, the market faces a significant impediment regarding patient adherence and the optimal duration of therapy required for effective outcomes. High dropout rates from treatment programs sever the revenue cycle and undermine the long-term efficacy of these drugs. This challenge is substantiated by industry performance metrics; according to the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, in 2024, data from over 300,000 patient treatment episodes indicated that readmission rates remain significantly higher for individuals who do not sustain therapeutic engagement beyond thirty days, underscoring the critical difficulty in maintaining regimen compliance.

Key Market Drivers

The escalating global opioid crisis and the concurrent surge in overdose prevention efforts are fundamentally reshaping the market landscape. Governments and international health organizations are aggressively prioritizing harm reduction strategies and the deployment of reversal agents, creating a sustained demand for effective therapeutic interventions. While the crisis remains severe, concerted public health investments are yielding measurable results in stabilizing mortality rates. This progress is evident in recent surveillance data; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 2025, in the 'CDC Reports Nearly 24% Decline in U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths' press release, provisional data indicated a 24% decline in overdose deaths for the 12-month period ending September 2024. Despite this improvement, the sheer scale of the epidemic sustains a massive addressable market, as underscored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, May 2025, in the '2025 National Drug Threat Assessment', which reported that 84,076 Americans died from drug overdoses in the 12-month period ending October 2024, highlighting the persistent need for robust addiction management solutions.

Simultaneously, advancements in drug delivery systems and novel therapeutics are driving sector expansion by addressing the critical challenge of treatment adherence. The market is witnessing a decisive shift from daily oral medications to long-acting injectables (LAIs) and extended-release formulations, which significantly improve patient compliance and reduce the risk of diversion. This technological evolution has translated into rapid commercial adoption and revenue growth for key market players. For instance, according to Indivior PLC, October 2024, in the 'Q3 2024 Financial Results', net revenue for the long-acting injectable Sublocade reached $562 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, representing a 24% increase compared to the same period in the prior year. This performance validates the industry's strategic pivot toward sophisticated delivery mechanisms that offer stable therapeutic levels and enhance long-term recovery outcomes.

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Key Market Challenges

Patient adherence and premature treatment termination represent a formidable barrier to the growth of the Global Addiction Disorders Drugs Market. When individuals discontinue pharmacotherapy or exit rehabilitation programs early, the direct consumption of therapeutic agents is curtailed, immediately reducing the volume of medication dispensed per patient. This behavioral impediment not only severs the recurring revenue stream anticipated from long-term maintenance regimens but also obscures the clinical success of these drugs, as efficacy is often contingent upon sustained usage. Consequently, high dropout rates distort market performance data and deter investment in novel formulations that require strict compliance for effectiveness.

This challenge is quantitatively evident in recent industry findings regarding treatment retention. According to the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, in 2024, outcome data from a broad network of facilities revealed that the average rate of patients leaving treatment against medical advice was 16%. This significant proportion of premature departures limits the effective addressable market for addiction therapeutics, as a substantial segment of the target patient population fails to complete the necessary course of medication, thereby directly stifling overall sector expansion.

Key Market Trends

Repurposing GLP-1 agonists, originally developed for diabetes, constitutes a transformative trend as researchers identify their potential to dampen neural reward pathways associated with substance dependency. This therapeutic pivot is gaining traction due to the mechanism's ability to suppress cravings for alcohol and opioids more effectively than some traditional pharmacotherapies, addressing the critical need for novel intervention targets. The clinical promise of this approach is highlighted by recent evidence; according to Labiotech.eu, March 2025, in the 'Can GLP-1 agonists help treat addiction?' article, a study revealed that the use of semaglutide was associated with a 36% lower risk of hospitalization for alcohol use disorder compared to non-use. This reduction suggests that metabolic interventions could redefine standard care protocols for addiction management.

Concurrently, the sector is advancing anti-addiction vaccines, marking a strategic transition from reactive overdose reversal to proactive prevention. Unlike receptor-blocking medications requiring daily compliance, these immunotherapies are engineered to stimulate the production of antibodies that sequester drugs in the bloodstream, preventing them from crossing the blood-brain barrier to induce euphoria or respiratory depression. This innovative mechanism is showing substantial preclinical success; according to The Independent, December 2025, in the 'A biotech company is beginning trials for a fentanyl vaccine' article, preliminary data indicated that a new vaccine formulation blocked 92 to 98 percent of fentanyl from entering the brain. Such efficacy could fundamentally alter the market by providing a long-term biological shield against accidental overdose.

Segmental Insights

The alcohol dependence segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category in the global addiction disorders drugs market, primarily due to the escalating prevalence of alcohol use disorder worldwide. This expansion is supported by increasing government initiatives to reduce harmful consumption and a clinical shift toward medication-assisted treatments. Furthermore, regulatory agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are prioritizing the review of novel therapeutics, which encourages pharmaceutical innovation. Consequently, the rising adoption of pharmacotherapy by healthcare professionals is significantly propelling the development of this segment.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global Addiction Disorders Drugs Market, driven largely by the critical need to address the opioid epidemic and high rates of substance abuse. The region benefits from robust government support, including significant healthcare spending on addiction treatment infrastructure. The US Food and Drug Administration plays a pivotal role by facilitating the approval of innovative pharmacotherapies and expanding access to medication-assisted treatments. Additionally, the concentration of major pharmaceutical companies in the United States and Canada accelerates research and development, ensuring a steady supply of advanced therapeutic solutions to meet the growing demand.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Indivior PLC reported a regulatory milestone with the U.S. FDA approval of label updates for its lead opioid use disorder therapy, SUBLOCADE (buprenorphine extended-release) injection. The approved changes included a protocol for rapid initiation of the treatment and the authorization of alternative injection sites, aiming to enhance flexibility for healthcare providers and patients. This update was designed to streamline the treatment process, allowing for quicker therapeutic intervention for individuals with moderate to severe opioid use disorder. The company stated that these enhancements reflected its dedication to removing barriers to access and optimizing care pathways in the addiction treatment landscape.
• In August 2024, Purdue Pharma L.P. announced that the U.S. FDA approved its New Drug Application for the Zurnai (nalmefene injection) Auto-Injector. This new product is indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older. The auto-injector delivers 1.5 mg of nalmefene hydrochloride, a longer-acting opioid antagonist, which is particularly relevant for countering overdoses caused by potent synthetic opioids. The company emphasized that this approval provided a critical new tool for immediate administration in non-medical settings, diversifying the range of available rescue medications in the market.
• In April 2024, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. strengthened its position in the addiction treatment sector by receiving approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Over-the-Counter (OTC) Naloxone Hydrochloride Nasal Spray, 4 mg. This product launch introduced a generic equivalent to the standard opioid overdose reversal medication, significantly expanding access to life-saving interventions. The company highlighted that the approval would facilitate broader distribution of the emergency treatment to communities and retail pharmacies. This launch aligns with the industry's shift towards increasing the availability of essential overdose reversal agents to the general public without the need for a prescription.
• In March 2024, Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals announced a significant development in its research efforts for the "Global Addiction Disorders Drugs Market" after securing a $14 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). This funding was designated for the advancement of GM-3009, a novel, cardiac-safe ibogaine analog intended for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The company plans to use the investment to conduct Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling toxicology studies and initiate Phase 1 clinical trials. This initiative represents a strategic focus on developing next-generation therapeutics that aim to improve efficacy and safety profiles compared to traditional psychedelic-derived treatments for addiction.

Key Market Players

• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
• Abbott Laboratories Inc
• GSK PLC
• Cipla Ltd
• Eli Lilly and Co Ltd
• Novartis AG
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited
• Viatris Inc.
• AstraZeneca PLC

By End-Use	By Region
Hospitals Clinics Rehabilitation Centers Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Addiction Disorders Drugs Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Addiction Disorders Drugs Market, By End-Use:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Others

• Addiction Disorders Drugs Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE