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Facing Addiction in America

Did you know that 1 in 7 people in the United States is expected to develop a substance use disorder at some point in their life? And did you know only 1 in 10 of those who develop a substance use disorder will receive any type of substance use treatment? 

In a joint venture, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the United States Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy released the first-ever Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. This comprehensive report covers a wide range of important substance use topics. From the neurobiological effects of substance use, to an in-depth review of prevention, treatment, and recovery, to how the health care system addresses substance use as a whole, the report takes a wide-lensed look at how substance use has affected people across the country. 

Here are some of the key findings from the Surgeon General’s Report:

  • The Neurobiology of Substance Use, Misuse, and Addiction
    • Addiction to alcohol or drugs is a chronic brain disease that has potential for recurrence and recovery.
    • Adolescence is a critical “at-risk period” for substance use and addiction. 
  • Prevention Programs and Policies
    • Communities and populations have different levels of risk, protection, and substance use. 
  • Early Intervention, Treatment, and Management of Substance Use Disorders
    • Evidence shows that substance use disorders can be effectively treated, with recurrence rates no higher than those for other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. 
    • Evidence shows that treatment for substance use disorders—including inpatient, residential, and outpatient—are cost-effective compared with no treatment.
  • Recovery: The Many Paths to Wellness
    • Recovery from substance use disorders has had several definitions. Although specific elements of these definitions differ, all agree that recovery goes beyond the remission of symptoms to include a positive change in the whole person.
    • Mutual aid groups and newly emerging recovery support programs and organizations are a key part of the system of continuing care for substance use disorders in the United States. 
  • Health Care Systems and Substance Use Disorders
    • Well-supported scientific evidence shows that the traditional separation of substance use disorder treatment and mental health services from mainstream health care has created obstacles to successful care coordination. 

Review the Executive Summary here.
Review the Surgeon General’s Vision for the Future here.
Review the full report here.
Help spread the word by checking out the report’s supplementary materials here.

Disclaimer
The contents of the National Resource Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention newsletter and website were assembled under a cooperative agreement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to the American Institutes for Research (AIR). The newsletter and website are operated and maintained by AIR and supported by grant number 5U79SM061516-02 from SAMHSA. The content of this website does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of SAMHSA or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.