End Substance Use Disorder Responds to National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its annual report on drug use and treatment. The report illustrated breadth of the substance use disorder crisis and the lack of access to treatment that is fueling overdose deaths. End Substance Use Disorder released the following statement:

“The National Survey on Drug Use and Health illustrates the hope and struggle that our loved ones with substance use disorder face on a daily basis,” said Erin Schanning, president of End Substance Use Disorder. “The report reminds us that recovery is possible. It is also a call to action to remove all barriers to care for the millions of Americans who have substance use disorder and cannot access treatment.”

The report found that 7 in 10 adults who have had substance use disorder consider themselves to be in recovery. But, the report also found that more than 46 million Americans over the age of 12 currently have a substance use disorder, and fewer than 6 in 100 people with the condition accessed treatment.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issues the report annually to inform its response to the mental health and substance use disorder crisis. It’s important to note that this survey does not account for all substance use nationally because it omits populations that are particularly affected by the condition, like people who are justice-involved or who lack housing.

Read more about the report here.