By the authority granted to me as President under the Constitution and the laws of the United States, I hereby issue the following directive:
Section 1. Purpose and Policy
Addiction, often termed substance use disorder, is not merely a personal ailment; it is a national crisis that extends its reach into the fabric of every community in our country. Approximately 48.4 million Americans, representing 16.8 percent of our population, are grappling with addiction. My Administration recognizes the urgency of this issue and is committed to addressing it with the seriousness it warrants. Over the past year, we have made significant strides in curbing the influx of illicit drugs threatening our communities. However, it is now imperative to enhance our efforts with a robust national initiative focused on addiction treatment and recovery.
Addiction is a chronic condition, akin to other long-term illnesses, with relapse rates that mirror those seen in diabetes or hypertension. Alarmingly, a vast majority of those in need of treatment remain unaware or unconvinced of their need for help. In 2024, among the 40.7 million adults with a substance use disorder who did not seek treatment, a staggering 95.6 percent—about 38.1 million individuals—did not recognize that they required assistance. Despite substantial investments, our recovery efforts often lack cohesion and fail to keep pace with evolving scientific insights.
The ramifications of this crisis are profound, not only in terms of lives lost but also through far-reaching impacts on our economy, workforce, and national vitality. Addiction is a contributing factor to diminishing workforce participation, surging healthcare expenditures, homelessness, family disruptions, and lost productivity—all of which collectively cost the United States hundreds of billions of dollars annually.
Our approach to addiction treatment should mirror that of other chronic health issues, emphasizing evidence-based care, scientific innovation, continuous support, and community engagement. My Administration is poised to spearhead a new national response to addiction that will foster greater collaboration among government entities, healthcare systems, faith-based organizations, and the private sector. This initiative aims to save lives, heal families, fortify our communities, and champion what I term the Great American Recovery.
Sec 2. Launching the Great American Recovery Initiative
(a) The White House Great American Recovery Initiative (the Initiative) is hereby established, co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Senior Advisor for Addiction Recovery. An Executive Director will be appointed to manage the Initiative’s daily operations, reporting to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.
(b) Besides the Co-Chairs and the Executive Director, the Initiative will include the following officials, or their designees:
- the Attorney General;
- the Secretary of the Interior;
- the Secretary of Education;
- the Secretary of Labor;
- the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;
- the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
- the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff;
- the Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Peace Missions;
- the Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary;
- the Director of National Drug Control Policy;
- the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services;
- the Commissioner of Food and Drugs;
- the Director of the National Institutes of Health;
- the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, Department of Health and Human Services;
- and other department heads, agencies, and offices as designated by the Co-Chairs and Executive Director.
(c) The Co-Chairs may conduct public hearings, meetings, roundtables, and similar events as deemed necessary, and they will seek expert insights from leaders in public health, addiction treatment, and related fields.
Sec 3. Addressing the Disease of Addiction
The Co-Chairs and the Executive Director, along with other Initiative members, shall:
- recommend necessary steps to synchronize the Federal Government’s approach to the addiction crisis, aligning relevant programs, establishing clear goals, and providing data-driven updates to the public on our progress;
- implement strategies to elevate awareness of addiction as a disease, assist individuals in accessing needed treatment, and cultivate a culture that embraces recovery;
- advise agency heads on integrating prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery support, and re-entry into public health, healthcare, criminal justice, workforce, education, housing, and social services systems, breaking down outdated barriers between agencies and programs;
- guide agency heads in directing suitable grants to bolster addiction recovery, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and long-term resilience;
- engage with States, tribal nations, local jurisdictions, community organizations, faith-based groups, the private sector, and philanthropic entities to devise optimal strategies for ensuring broader access to treatment and celebrating the recovery journey.
Sec 4. General Provisions
(a) Nothing in this order shall be interpreted as diminishing or altering:
- the authority vested by law in any executive department or agency or the head thereof; or
- the responsibilities of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget concerning budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order will be executed in accordance with applicable law and contingent upon the availability of funds.
(c) This order does not intend to, nor does it create, any enforceable rights or benefits, whether substantive or procedural, against the United States, its departments, agencies, or personnel.
(d) The costs associated with the publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Health and Human Services.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 29, 2026.
