National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
March 17 - March 23
There are many reasons why people decide to drink and use drugs. But the increasing use of drugs and drinking can come with serious risk and devastating consequences.
Substance use disorder affects an estimated 25 million Americans. In terms of people who are affected indirectly such as families of people with a substance use disorder and those injured or killed by intoxicated drivers, an additional 40 million people are affected. The monetary cost to society and the economy because of reduced productivity, property damage, accidents, and health care are astounding. Alcohol use disorder (heavy drinking) afflicts 16 million adults and almost 300,000 children annually. An estimated 21.6 million Americans (age 12 and older) misuse other drugs such as sedative-hypnotics or barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, hallucinogens and psychostimulants.
For more information about this topic, visit Addiction/Substance Use Disorder | Mental Health America