This fall, HLTH USA will debut its first pavilion dedicated to substance use disorder (SUD). For a conference known for spotlighting health innovation, this is more than a programming choice; it is a signal that addiction belongs at the center of the healthcare conversation.

Substance use disorder affects tens of millions of Americans, yet for decades it has remained at the margins of healthcare dialogue. Treatment is too often fragmented, stigmatized, or inaccessible. HLTH’s new SUD Pavilion offers something different: a stage to confront stigma, highlight innovation, new technology advances and expand access to care in ways that are practical, scalable, and humane.

The Crisis and the Gaps

The scope of the crisis is staggering. In 2023, the United States recorded 105,007 drug overdose deaths. That number reflects a 4 percent decline from the year before, the first meaningful national decrease in years. Still, synthetic opioids, stimulants, and cocaine remain the primary drivers of overdose deaths. The decline is progress, but it will only hold if the system continues to expand access, fight stigma, and invest in innovation.

Access remains one of the greatest challenges. Despite the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), as of 2021 only about 18 percent of people with OUD received medications for addiction treatment, according to the CDC. More broadly, SAMHSA data shows that in 2022 only 24 percent of the 48.7 million Americans with a substance use disorder received any kind of treatment at all. These statistics point to a stark reality: the majority of people who could benefit from treatment are not getting it.

Stigma remains a defining barrier. The Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index found that nearly three-quarters of Americans do not recognize SUD as a chronic illness. Even within healthcare, two-thirds of professionals share that misconception. These attitudes are not abstract; they show up in the lives of people who avoid care because they fear judgment.

Innovation in Action

Leaders across industries are beginning to address these barriers in concrete ways. Sobrynth, for example, helps employers create recovery-friendly cultures where individuals are supported rather than silenced. Workplace innovation matters because for many people, employment is a primary gateway to benefits, healthcare, and community. By shifting how organizations respond to addiction, employers can become part of the solution.

Access also depends on rethinking the delivery of care. For people in rural areas, for those who face long waitlists, or for those unable to attend daily in-person clinics, traditional models fall short. Innovators like Laptis are developing solutions that bridge these gaps, connecting patients with effective treatment regardless of geography.

One of the most promising developments in the field is the rise of peer-based support. The value of lived experience cannot be overstated. Apps like Sober Sidekick put that support within reach at any hour, connecting people with encouragement and resources at moments of vulnerability. For many, knowing that someone who has walked the same path is available makes treatment feel less isolating and more possible.

Technology is also reshaping the delivery of evidence-based treatments. Methadone remains a cornerstone of opioid use disorder treatment, but access is limited by federal regulations and the logistics of daily clinic visits. For example, take the work of Opio in addressing these barriers by using AI and robotics to improve methadone dispensing and monitoring. Their solution, launching at HLTH this fall, promises to expand access while maintaining safeguards. 

Opio Connect—founded by pharmacist Amber Norbeck and engineer Mike Dawson—is addressing critical treatment access challenges and workforce shortages with ZING, the first and only robotic methadone dose assembly system. ZING automates the preparation of thousands of methadone doses at opioid treatment clinics every day. Each take-home dose is precisely pumped, capped, foil-sealed, and labeled—ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and safety. By removing this repetitive, time-consuming task, ZING boosts clinic productivity and frees nurses and pharmacists to focus on patient care and higher-value clinical work. Many clinics using the technology report a boost in job satisfaction and morale. Building on this innovation, ZING Satellite extends treatment access through private telemedicine booths that enable direct-to-patient distribution of both methadone and buprenorphine. Operating in real time under direct supervision with full EHR integration, these satellite units can be remotely operated within existing healthcare settings—making treatment more accessible and scalable than ever before.

While innovations like ZING are revolutionizing treatment delivery, technology alone isn't enough. Harm reduction continues to be a critical element of the response. Recovery is not always linear; harm reduction meets people where they are without judgment. Naloxone distribution programs, for example, save lives and keep people connected until they are ready for the next step. Including harm reduction champions at HLTH signals a meaningful shift: healthcare at its best prioritizes safety, dignity, and health over moral judgment.