Over 1 in 6 Americans, adults and teens alike, suffered a substance use disorder in 2022, new government data released Monday shows.

In the survey, alcohol and drug abuse involved roughly the same numbers of people: About 30 million had an alcohol use disorder, while 27 million had a drug use disorder -- including about 6 million with an opioid use disorder.

Some folks struggled with addictions to more than one substance: About 8 million people had both alcohol and drug use disorders.

Mental illness often accompanies substance abuse, with the survey showing that nearly a quarter of adults had a mental health issue, including 1 in 12 who experienced both mental illness and substance use disorder.

The young were not spared: About 1 in 5 adolescents ages 12 to 17 – nearly 5 million youth – had experienced a major depressive episode in the past year.

“The overdose epidemic is heartbreaking. But it’s also preventable. We have and continue to make progress. To continue to make progress will require proper funding and commitment. We will not stop using every tool available to get Americans the help they need,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in an agency news release.

The new data is based on responses to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a survey conducted annually by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Substance use disorders are only becoming more prevalent in the United States, with about 2.5 million more people experiencing them in 2022 compared to 2021. Suicidal thoughts also increased among both adults and teens.



“There are many different factors that contribute to the patterns and trends,” Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, HHS assistant secretary for mental health and substance use and administrator of SAMHSA, said during a media briefing, CNN reported. “We do hear, in some instances, that people are continuing to experience some of the ripple effects of the pandemic. We know that there were challenges even before the pandemic and as a function of the pandemic. We see continued challenges.”

Still, there were some promising trends, experts said.

Alcohol use among adolescents and tobacco use across most age groups decreased, and most adults who perceive that they’ve had a substance use or a mental health challenge consider themselves to be in recovery, Delphin-Rittmon noted.

Still, drug overdose deaths hover near record levels, and millions aren’t receiving treatment.

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Exploring the Long-Term Benefits of Investing in Substance Prevention

Here are a few examples of how substance abuse prevention can save society money!

Substance abuse often leads to various health problems, including addiction, mental health issues, and physical ailments. By preventing substance use in the first place, you can avoid the costs associated with treating these health conditions. This includes hospital stays, medications, therapy, and other medical interventions.

Substance abuse can significantly impact a person's ability to work effectively, leading to decreased productivity and potential job loss. When people are healthier and not struggling with addiction, they are more likely to be productive members of society, contributing to the economy rather than requiring support services.

Substance abuse is linked to criminal activity, such as drug-related crimes and offenses committed under the influence. Prevention efforts can reduce the number of people engaging in these activities, which means lower costs for law enforcement, courts, and incarceration.

Substance abuse often necessitates social services support, such as housing assistance, welfare programs, and child protective services. Preventing substance abuse can reduce the strain on these services, allowing resources to be allocated more efficiently.

Treating substance abuse and its consequences is expensive. It involves rehabilitation programs, counseling, detoxification, and ongoing support. By preventing substance use, you avoid these high treatment costs! In essence, by investing in prevention programs, you're addressing the root causes of many costly issues associated with substance abuse. This early intervention saves money by avoiding the more substantial expenses that come with treating addiction and its related consequences later on!

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Generation Rx

New Summer Program

It's officially time to kick off our new research-based program, Generation Rx! This program will help us remain in the communities we work in and will be taught to our middle school students. Advocating for the safe use of prescription medicine, Generation Rx aims to raise awareness about the potential dangers of misuse. By educating individuals of all ages, from youth to older adults, the program strives to enhance medication safety and promote healthier lives. Remember, while prescription medications can be beneficial, misuse can pose risks. Let's prioritize safe practices together!

Too Good For Drugs and Violence Program

During March, we had two presentations from our Too Good for Drugs programs. We received over 200 thank you letters that we were so pleased to go through and read! Thank you, Elkhorn Public Schools!

Please select the image above for further details, and stay tuned to our social media channels for similar posts as they are released!