Melissa Etheridge is expanding her advocacy work with the launch of the R.I.S.E. Summit, a new event focused on research and education around addiction treatment.
The inaugural summit is set for November 12, 2026, in Irvine, California. Its name stands for Research, Innovation, Science, and Education, and the event will bring attention to new approaches being studied for opioid use disorder. That includes conversations around psychedelic-assisted therapies and plant medicine research, areas that have gained increased interest among scientists, clinicians, and treatment advocates.
The summit is connected to the work of the Etheridge Foundation, which Etheridge created after the death of her son, Beckett Cypher, in 2020 from causes related to opioid addiction. Since then, the foundation has supported research and public education around alternative treatment paths, with a focus on science-based discussion and access to care.
The event is expected to bring together researchers, medical professionals, advocates, and community members for a broader conversation about addiction, treatment options, and the need for continued study.