Center for Addiction Sciences and Innovation (CASI)
Welcome to CASI
The Center for Addiction Science and Innovation (CASI) at UConn brings together experts across neuroscience, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and clinical practice to uncover the underlying mechanisms of substance use disorders and translate discoveries into effective treatments.
The Scope of the Crisis
46.3 million
people in the United States had an substance use disorder in 2021.¹
110,000
drug overdose deaths were reported in 2022.²
51.2%
of people 12 and older have used illicit drugs at least once in their lifetime. 1
¹2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
²Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
A Path Forward
Recovery is possible
Millions of people in the U.S. are living in recovery from substance use disorders, showing that long-term improvement and sustained remission are achievable.
Approved therapies
are available for opioid, nicotine, and alcohol use disorders and are most effective when combined with behavioral interventions.
Emerging treatments
Advances in neuromodulation, psychedelics, biologics, and drug delivery systems are driving new directions in substance use disorder research and therapy.