Substance use disorder (SUD) is a major public health challenge that is taking an enormous toll on our society.
In 2020, 40.3 million people ages 12 or older (or 14.5 percent) had a SUD in the past year. Defined as a mental disorder, SUD affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to the inability to control the use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, and medications. Researchers have found that about half the individuals who have a SUD will experience a co-occurring mental disorder, and vice versa. Although most people take prescription medications responsibly, an estimated one in seven of us will develop a substance use disorder at some point in our lives.
The consequences of substance abuse extend well beyond those that affect the users. Such abuse influences the lives of an additional 40 million people, including the families of abusers and those injured or killed by intoxicated drivers. The annual economic impact is estimated to be $249 billion for alcohol misuse and $193 billion for illicit drug use.