Addiction Epidemic
In its most recent survey, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration found the following number of people who met the DSM-5 criteria for drug and alcohol addiction in the US:
All: 54.6 million people needed treatment for a Substance Use Disorder
Alcohol: 29.5 million had an alcohol use disorder
Drugs: 27.2 million had at least one drug use disorder
Marijuana: 19 million had a marijuana use disorder
Opioids: 6.1 million had an opioid use disorder
source: current SAMHSA report
Source: CDC - US
Fentanyl Facts
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid prescribed for pain relief. It is now being illegally manufactured, resulting in thousands of deadly overdoses.
- Opioids, such as fentanyl, kill more than 150 people every day in the U.S.
- Deadly levels of fentanyl often gets mixed with other drugs causing an overdose.
- Drug overdoses from fentanyl and other drugs, are now the leading cause of death in Americans under the age of 50.
- Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine.
Addiction Is a Brain Disorder
Substance abuse is a brain disorder, not a moral failing. It is a very treatable, bona-fide, medical condition like diabetes cancer or heart disease.
- According to the AMA, addiction is a brain disorder and mental illness.
- Addiction affects the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, impulse control and judgment.
- Studies show chronic drug use causes long-term changes in the brain's neural pathways.
- Distorted Thinking
- Compulsive Behaviors
- Significant Functional Impairment
- Causes Other Mental Health Issues
- Alters Brain's Reward Mechanism
- Intense Cravings
- Loss Of Control
Addiction Treatment Gap
The Addiction Treatment Gap refers to the vast difference between the number of individuals who need addiction treatment and those who did receive it.
- This gap is a serious issue that has a detrimental impact on individuals, families, and communities across the US. and around the world.
- The gap represents a missed opportunity to help people with a substance abuse disorder achieve recovery and improve their life.
- Last year, over 100,000 people in the US died of an overdose. They all fell in the "Gap."
Source: SAMHSA
Proper Treatment Works
Addiction treatment addresses underlying issues, which are always contributing factors to successful recovery.
- Medication-Assisted Treatments are effective at reducing illicit drug use, improving recovery, and decreasing overdose deaths.
- Evidence-Based Treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, has been validated for its efficacy in real-world settings.
Be Part of the Solution
Millions of people struggle with Substance Use Disorder and do not have access to needed care. Donations help fund treatment programs as well as other initiatives to help reduce the nation's addiction crisis.