Substance Use Addiction & Mental Health Statistics
Struggling with substance use and addiction can be overwhelming, to put it lightly. However, it is essential to know that you are not alone in your suffering and the support you deserve is available. In the United States, statistics related to those suffering from substance use disorders are astonishing. Lets look at current rates and statistics.
How We Approached Our Report
The Inquirys Terms of Reference are broad and we had a relatively short time to report we began in February 2018 and were required to report by 31 October 2018.21 Our first priority was to give people an opportunity for their voices to be heard. What we heard confirmed that there are long-standing mental health and addiction challenges in New Zealand, increasing and unsustainable pressure on the current system, and an urgent need to tackle the problems we face.
Many people with lived experience, their families and whnau, workers, providers and funders and policy advisors argued for a radically different approach to mental health and addiction. But there was much less clarity about the best way forward.
We considered how best to approach this report, given the wide range of complex issues, our time constraints, and the risk of being overwhelmed by detail. We have not produced a strategy, a roadmap or a detailed implementation plan with comprehensive and fully costed actions. Our analysis convinced us that none of those well-trodden paths would achieve the fundamental change of direction required.
Instead, we have focused on the critical reforms necessary to create the right environment and support a significant shift in how we prevent and respond to issues of mental health and addiction. We have identified priority areas for action, many of which require decisive action by the Government and Parliament.
Principles Of Effective Drug Addiction Treatment
These 13 principles of effective drug addiction treatment were developed based on three decades of scientific research. Research shows that treatment can help drug-addicted individuals stop drug use, avoid relapse and successfully recover their lives.
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Can People With Co
Yes, chronic drug abusers who also suffer from mental illness can be treated. Researchers currently are investigating the most effective way to treat drug abusers with mental illness, and especially whether or not treating both conditions simultaneously leads to better recovery. Currently, the two conditions often are treated separately or without regard to each other. As a result, many individuals with co-occurring disorders are sent back and forth between substance abuse and mental health treatment settings.
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Drug Abuse Among Veterans
Mental illness and substance abuse is relatively common among military veterans.
- 7% of veterans struggle with illegal drug use compared to 5.3% of the general population in the US over age 18.
- 80% struggle with alcohol abuse, and 7% have an issue with both alcohol and illegal drugs.
- 7% of the veteran population has a serious mental illness compared to 14.4% of adults over 18.
- 505,000 veterans misuse prescription pain relievers compared to 59,000 who used heroin.
- 10% of veterans between the ages of 18-25 misuse prescription pain relievers compared to 5.5% of the general population in the US in the same age group.
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Alcohol Is Responsible For 1
In 2016, more than 75,000 Canadians were hospitalized for incidents related to alcohol. This includes injuries caused directly by consumption, as well as injuries caused as a result of intoxication. That same year, a study found that between 1-2% of deaths in Canada were caused directly or indirectly by alcohol.
Mental Health And Substance Abuse Disorders Affect People Of All Countries
The world has long been a frightening, sad place for many of its citizens and it appears that things arent getting any better as we struggle through the first quarter of the twenty-first century. If this seems like old news, the depth of the current state of mental illness and substance abuse around the world may surprise you.
According to statistics released recently by Our World in Data, 1.1 billion people, or more than 15 percent of the worlds population, have some type of mental health or substance abuse disorder. No nation is immune.
Anxiety disorders and depression are nearly tied for the number one position, affecting 275 and 268 million people respectively, each disorder comprising about 4 percent of the worlds population. Other disorders, including bipolar disorder, eating disorders, schizophrenia and addiction are present globally, although in substantially smaller numbers.
Mental health and substance abuse disorders affect people of all countries poor and rich, men and women, employed and unemployed, rural and urban. Problems can last for weeks, months, or even years, and without treatment, may be present for an entire lifetime.
The enormity of the problem is difficult to fathom, and the situation isnt expected to get much better in the coming years. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2030, mental health disorders will move into the number one spot for the global burden of disease, outpacing heart disease and car accidents.
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Alabama Mental Health And Substance Abuse Highlights
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare information only have limited claims data, which do not cover the total population. Data are also retrieved from ADPH Center for Health Statistics, ADPH Office of Primary Care and Rural Health, ADPH Office of Emergency Medical Services , the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System , and the National Center for Health Statistics:
- In 2019, suicide was the twelfth leading cause of death in AL.
- In 2018, 38.8 percent of the adult Medicaid population-initiated rehabilitation treatment within 14 days of being diagnosed with an alcohol or drug dependency.
- The suicide mortality rate is almost more than four times greater for males compared to females .
Mde And Mde With Severe Impairment Among Adults
Among adults aged 18 or older, the percentage with a past year MDE increased from 6.6 percent in 2005 to 7.8 percent in 2019 . These estimates in 2019 were higher than the estimates in each year from 2005 through 2018.
Figure 49. Major Depressive Episode in the Past Year among Adults Aged 18 or Older: 2005-2019
+ Difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level.
| Age |
|---|
| 4.7 |
| + Difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. |
Among adults aged 18 or older, the percentage who had a past year MDE with severe impairment increased from 4.0 percent in 2009 to 5.3 percent in 2019 . These estimates in 2019 were higher than the estimates in each year from 2009 through 2018.
Figure 50. Major Depressive Episode with Severe Impairment in the Past Year among Adults Aged 18 or Older: 2009-2019
+ Difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level.
| Age |
|---|
| + Difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. |
Aged 18 to 25
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Seek Treatment For Addiction At Red Oaks Recovery
How do we understand mental illness statistics in men? What action do we take in light of this information? The first thing to do is help someone who currently has an addiction. An addiction treatment center in Asheville, NC, provides treatment programs, such as detox, rehab, and aftercare.
At Red Oak Recovery, we offer a range of addiction treatment programs for young adult men. We provide a range of holistic and evidence-based treatment options which we tailor to the needs of each person in our program. Furthermore, we offer a variety of substance use treatment programs, including:
Why Are Video Games Addictive
Research has attempted to explore why video games are addictive. One reason is that video games are designed to entice players to play them. Video games must be challenging enough to keep players playing but not so challenging they cause players to give up. Some video games have no final goal or definitive end, which allows people to play them indefinitely. This design can trigger the cycle of addiction in which the players continue to seek the immediate gratification of playing the game and earning whatever reward the particular game offers.
Many addictive video games encourage people to connect electronically with each other, which can promote endless gameplay. Some video games operate on leveling and variable reward systems, where people earn skills or rewards by beating certain levels without knowing exactly when it will occur. Knowing that a big prize will come eventually and playing to reach the next level can increase their overall playing time.
Several emotional and physical warning signs of video game addiction can indicate a problem. Individuals may be consumed with thoughts about playing and show signs of impatience and agitation when unable to play. People may be dishonest about the time they spend playing video games and isolate themselves to play longer. Physical symptoms include:
- Lack of personal hygiene.
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The Rise In Gaming Addiction
The video game industry continues to grow rapidly. In 1999, the industry generated $7.4 billion in revenue, compared to $178 billion in 2021. Some reports speculate that the video game industry could make $268 billion by 2025.
Video game accessibility is also on the rise due to technological advancements. Individuals can now play video games on televisions, cell phones, desktop computers or notebook computers. This accessibility has allowed more individuals to play video games more often.
Anxiety: A World Living In Fear
If global mental disorders held a contest, anxiety would be in first place. Anxiety disorders affect 275 million people, or about 4 percent of the worlds population.
Anxiety is a mysterious, challenging disorder, and it isnt well understood, even by the greatest minds in the medical and psychiatric world. The term anxiety disorders encompasses a range of related disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, PTSD , phobias, and OCD . While each subset has unique symptoms, all share common characteristics.
WHO notes that anxiety is marked by apprehension and worry about the future, signs of tension such as headaches, fidgeting, and restlessness and physical symptoms like dizziness, rapid breathing, sweating, rapid heartbeat, gastrointestinal distress, and a dry mouth.
Following extensive research, The Journal of the American Medical Association offers the conclusion that anxiety is more common in high-income countries as a whole, although the disorder is more likely to affect people of lower socioeconomic status within those countries.
Is this because mental health in the U.S. and other wealthy countries is readily available for those who can afford it, while people who live in impoverished communities, or those who lack health insurance have fewer healthcare options? Often, people who live in Americas inner cities or rural areas face tremendous challenges presented by a lack of quality healthcare.
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Addiction Statistics: How Big Of A Problem Is It
Research of any type is expensive and requires funding. The largest supporter of addiction research is the United States government. In 1970, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism was established. Then in 1974, the National Institute on Drug Abuse began. In 1992, the US government created the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration . SAMHSA’s primary function is to compile the results of technically complicated, scientific research about addiction and mental health. Then they transform these research results into useful, practical information to guide clinicians and the public. SAMHSA also draws on the work of the National Institute of Mental Health to accomplish that goal.
The National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health was founded in 1972 by NIDA. NIDA conducted surveys periodically at first. Then in 1991, it became an annual event. It remains the largest survey on this subject. The 2010 survey was composed of approximately 67,500 individuals age 12 or older. These results are available here:
If you are not fond of numbers, we highlight the key points.
Illegal Drug Use Statistics in the United States
Data reported for 2010 :
Cigarette and Tobacco Statistics in the United States:
Data reported for 2010 :
Number of People Meeting Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Abuse or Dependence1:
Data reported for 2010 :
Number of People Needing Substance Abuse Treatment2:
2 Ibid.
Drug Abuse Among Age Groups
While younger people are more likely to use drugs, the rate of drug use among people over 40 is increasing faster than it is among younger age grups.
- The drug-related death rate for users over 50 increases 3% annually.
- 75% of deaths from drug use disorders among users aged 50 years and older are caused by opioids.
- 6% of drug deaths among 50-plus users are from cocaine and amphetamines, and 13% are from other drugs.
- 35% of college students indicated they use illegal drugs instead of prescription drugs.
- 93% of college students who use illegal drugs use marijuana.
- 37% use cocaine and 36% use hallucinogens.
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Opioid Use Disorder Statistics
Some opioids are prescribed for severe pain. However, they are sometimes misused. This means they are used for purposes not consistent with legal or medical guidelines.
Around 10 million people misused opioids in 2019. They comprise 3.7 percent of the U.S. population.2, 3
Among these opioid misusers:2
- 96 percent misused prescription opioids
- 4 percent concurrently misuse prescription opioids and use heroin
Among prescription opioid misusers:2
- 51 percent got the drug through a relative or friend
- 37 percent got or stole the prescription from a healthcare provider
Buprenorphine is the top opioid with the highest percentage of misusers . Its followed by methadone and oxycodone .2
Other opioid-related figures:
- 50,000 people die every year from an opioid overdose.3
- Opioids are behind 72 percent of overdose deaths.3
- 53 percent of overdose death is due to fentanyl.3
Severity And Prevalence Of Mental Health And Addiction Need
In the mental health and addiction sector, level of mental health and addiction need is commonly classified as mild, moderate or severe. Estimates of prevalence for each category are used for a variety of policy, funding, service and workforce planning purposes. Two main sets of mental illness prevalence figures have been used over the last two decades: those in the 1997 National Mental Health Plan18 and those from Te Rau Hinengaro, the national mental health survey, published in 2006 and based on data collected in 2003 and 2004.19
Prevalence figures from each of these were similar, with the proportion of the adult population in each category in any given year expressed as follows:
- severe need about 5% according to Te Rau Hinengaro
- mild to moderate and moderate to severe need about 16% in Te Rau Hinengaro
- no need or low need about 79% in Te Rau Hinengaro .
It is important to note these categories do not describe individuals but rather refer to the mental illness prevalence in the population in a given year an individuals needs shift over time and throughout their life. The severity of need can also fluctuate, even for people with long-term, serious mental health challenges such as persistent and severe depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
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Tobacco Is The Most Common Substance Addiction
A case could be made for coffee or sugar, but defining addiction for something thats such an accepted daily substance is a difficult practice. Consequently, its tobacco, which is often associated with addiction, that stands as the No. 1 most used addictive substance. In the United States alone, there are over 40 million people addicted to tobacco. Alcohol comes in a distant second place, with 18 million U.S. addicts.
Mental Health Conditions Can Lead To Substance Misuse
Studies have shown that people with mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder may start using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate, states the NIMH. This may provide temporary relief from symptoms of mental illness.
Although some drugs may provide you temporary relief, these drugs may worsen mental health symptoms over time. Additionally, the rewarding effect of such substances can make them difficult to quit.
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Integrated Treatment And Care Of People With Dual Diagnoses
Effective management of either substance use disorders or mental health disorders is challenging. Dual diagnosis adds complexity to assessment, diagnosis, treatment and recovery, and can be associated with increased incidences of relapse, poorer physical health, and risks of homelessness, violence and other challenges.
Research suggests that people with a dual diagnosis respond well to integrated programs that address both their mental illness and their substance misuse. Treatment can help people manage their alcohol or drug use, improve physical and mental health, and improve their general functioning.
However, these programs were uncommon until recent years. Some of the reasons for this include:
Importantly, people who experience dual diagnosis are affected in different ways and therefore have individual needs. In practice, what is effective for one person may not be effective for another.
