<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.20.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>222</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>311</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>55</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfChangesInAccumulatedStockholdersDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00405 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - RECENT ANNOUNCING STANDARDS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureRecentAnnouncingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>RECENT ANNOUNCING STANDARDS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureLicenseAndCollaborationAgreements</Role>
      <ShortName>LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureRevenueFromContractsWithCustomers</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureResearchAndDevelopment</Role>
      <ShortName>RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - ACCRUED EXPENSES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCRUED EXPENSES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - DEBT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureCommonStockPurchaseWarrants</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpense</Role>
      <ShortName>SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11301 - Disclosure - NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsLossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11401 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvent</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30301 - Disclosure - LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureLicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureLicenseAndCollaborationAgreements</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30401 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureRevenueFromContractsWithCustomersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureRevenueFromContractsWithCustomers</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30601 - Disclosure - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30701 - Disclosure - ACCRUED EXPENSES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCRUED EXPENSES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpenses</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30803 - Disclosure - DEBT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureCommonStockPurchaseWarrantsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureCommonStockPurchaseWarrants</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31103 - Disclosure - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpense</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31303 - Disclosure - NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsLossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsLossPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS - Intangible asset (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureLicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsIntangibleAssetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS - Intangible asset (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40302 - Disclosure - LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureLicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureLicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureRevenueFromContractsWithCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureRevenueFromContractsWithCustomersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40402 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureRevenueFromContractsWithCustomersAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureResearchAndDevelopmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureResearchAndDevelopment</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40602 - Disclosure - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - ACCRUED EXPENSES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCRUED EXPENSES (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - DEBT - Interest Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureDebtInterestExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT - Interest Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40802 - Disclosure - DEBT - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureDebtAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactions</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS - Warrant Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureCommonStockPurchaseWarrantsWarrantActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS - Warrant Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41002 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureCommonStockPurchaseWarrantsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE - Non-Cash Share-Based Compensation Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseNonCashShareBasedCompensationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE - Non-Cash Share-Based Compensation Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41102 - Disclosure - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE - Stock Option plan activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseStockOptionPlanActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE - Stock Option plan activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41103 - Disclosure - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE - Summary of RSU Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseSummaryOfRsuPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE - Summary of RSU Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41104 - Disclosure - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE- Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE- Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41301 - Disclosure - NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsLossPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41302 - Disclosure - NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsLossPerShareAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsLossPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="acur-20200930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41401 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://acurapharm.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvent</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>acur-20200930.xml</File>
    <File>acur-20200930.xsd</File>
    <File>acur-20200930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>acur-20200930_def.xml</File>
    <File>acur-20200930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>acur-20200930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
