According to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 50% of people 12 and older have used illicit drugs at least once, and drug overdose deaths in the United States since 2000 are nearing 1 million.
Additionally, 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12 have an Alcohol Use Disorder, with nearly 84% of alcohol-related deaths involving adults aged 35 or older. Worldwide, up to 3 million people die every year as a result of alcohol abuse.
Research by healthcare and addiction specialists shows the pandemic greatly influenced the use of alcohol and drugs, with liquor sales up as much as 262% year-over-year, more than 60% of research participants drinking more alcohol, and 13% of Americans starting or increasing substance use since March 2020.
Beyond substance use, research shows that when people are stressed, they often seek out ways to cope and adopt addictive behaviors such as compulsive gambling, gaming, social media use or overeating.
Yet only 10% of Americans dealing with addiction receive treatment. Similarly, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), only one out of every eight people (12.5%) with a drug use disorder worldwide receives treatment. WHO also reports that less than 10% of people with alcohol use disorders receive treatment.
While the statistics may seem staggering, treatment and recovery are possible and manageable.
In finding this Addiction Toolkit, consider it the helping hand you were seeking. It provides information, tip sheets, videos and other resources to help you identify substance use and support you, a friend or a loved one through addiction recovery.
Remember you are not alone in facing this challenge, and it can be overcome.
