NSDUH Data Detail Substance Use Levels in 2022

Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of its National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an annual report highlighting statistics on substance use, mental health, and treatment in the United States. The report includes several details about substance use disorder and recovery levels in 2022 by race, ethnicity, and age. The survey data for the past year indicate several key highlights for people aged 12 and older, including:

  • 8.9 million people misused opioids in the past year;
  • 49.7 million people had substance use disorder (SUD), with 5.6 million of those with SUD having a prescription pain reliever use disorder;
  • 54.6 million people needed SUD treatment in the past year, with adults aged 18 to 25 needing more SUD treatment compared to other groups; and
  • 13.1 million received substance use treatment in the past year.

The survey also gathered details about peoples’ experiences with recovery, with data showing that roughly 21 million people considered themselves to be recovering or in recovery. In a press release, HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm said, “To tackle the behavioral health crisis in this nation, we need to fully understand the issues surrounding mental health and substance use, and the impact they have on people and communities. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to meeting people where they are with information, resources, and support. The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health allows us to follow an evidence-based path forward as we provide support for those struggling with substance use and work to build healthier futures.”

Articles & Resources

HHS – HHS, SAMHSA Release 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data

White House Releases Workplace Prevention and Recovery Guidance

On November 9th, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released the Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit: Guidance and Resources for Private and Public Sector Employers to help employers prevent and respond to substance misuse among their workforces and build workplaces that support people in recovery. The Toolkit includes three primary components to support workplaces to implement Recovery-Ready Workplace (RRW) approaches: 1) an overview of RRW policies; 2) guidance on how to implement RRW policies; and 3) ready-to-use resources. RRW policies outlined in the toolkit center on recruiting and hiring, prevention, facilitating help-seeking and accommodating treatment and support needs, and messaging, branding, and community engagement. According to ONDCP, the toolkit is intended to be applicable across industries and can also serve as a resource to states, local and Tribal governments, labor organizations, business groups, and non-profits launching workplace recovery initiatives. ONDCP Director Dr. Gupta noted, “The resources we’re announcing today bring together businesses, state and community leaders, and the federal government to ensure that people with addiction and those in recovery can get—and keep—jobs. A job is about dignity and respect, and ensuring American workplaces are recovery-ready will support millions of recovery journeys while strengthening our economy.”

Articles & Resources

White House – Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Support Recovery-Ready Workplaces and Strengthen Our Economy

What We Read Last Week

Several articles were published last week pertaining to the opioid epidemic, covering a variety of different components of the topic. Links to relevant articles are provided below.

FDA – Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS)

WJAC – Understanding substance abuse recovery: Experts shed light on challenges and solutions

AMA – 2023 AMA Overdose Epidemic Report

AHCJ – Mobile addiction services stop overdoses by meeting people where they are, panelists say

AP – Biden and China’s Xi agree to curb illicit fentanyl

This Week’s Calendar

In the week ahead, there are no relevant events or hearings noticed at this time. In the event that there are any changes to the schedule for this week, we will make additional information available.

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