More than 21 million people in the US need help for drug or alcohol abuse but only 10.8% actually seek addiction treatment. Why won’t more people reach out for help?

Drug Use and Addiction Treatment Statistics

According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, far more people need addiction treatment for substance use disorder than are currently receiving it. In 2015, roughly 8.1% of the American population over the age of 12—approximately 21.7 million people—were in need of substance use treatment. Of these, however, only 2.3 million people received proper care. This means that almost nine-tenths of those known to struggle with substance misuse remain untreated.

The survey also showed that of those struggling with substance use, 41.2% of adults suffered from co-occurring mental disorders. Of these, only 6.8% received dual diagnosis treatment while 41.1% received treatment for one disorder while neglecting the other. While the survey did not provide as many statistics regarding adolescent users, it did look at adolescent substance users who experienced co-occurring depressive episodes. Approximately 29.1% of substance users between the ages of 12 and 17 struggled with depression, often to the point of severe impairment. Only 3.8% of these adolescents received dual diagnosis treatment, while the number who received only addiction treatment was too low to calculate precisely.

Why People Don’t Seek Addiction Treatment

These numbers demonstrate a startling trend of individuals needing help yet failing to receive it. The results are often grave, especially among those suffering from co-occurring mental disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, those who fail to receive treatment for substance use disorder and other mental health issues are far more likely to suffer adverse circumstances such as homelessness or involvement in the criminal justice system. Why, then, would many individuals actively refuse the help they need?

Many blame pride, but this alone does not explain the issue. While it is true that most people do not prefer to admit that they need help, this problem is greatly exacerbated by the stigma that unfairly plagues many individuals who have gone through substance use treatment. Despite recent efforts to spread awareness, misinformation and stereotypes still lead to a prevailing belief among the general population that substance use disorder is a moral failing rather than a psychological condition. Those who need treatment often fear that reaching out for help will result in being labeled as something less than human. They may implicitly know that treatment would benefit them, but fear that the social stigma will outweigh the personal gains.

Additionally, one might fault the effects of substance use disorder on the sufferer’s brain. Prolonged substance use alters the brain’s reward circuit, motivating the user to continue seeking pleasure through their substance of choice. The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that drugs and alcohol also impact the cerebral cortex, which controls our ability to make healthy decisions. Through a mix of denial, motivated pleasure-seeking and impaired judgment, those who suffer from substance use disorder find themselves unable and unmotivated to seek help. This often lasts until they “hit bottom,” suffering consequences dire enough to jar them out of their altered state. Unfortunately, this can take months or even years longer than it takes for their substance use to become deeply problematic.

Helping You Find the Addiction Treatment You Need

The issues discussed above often dissuade substance users from reaching out for help with addiction treatment; however, some simply do not know where to turn. Many suffer financial hardships or lack insurance, making it difficult to afford treatment. On top of that, they may not know what constitutes proper treatment for substance use disorder, and are therefore not able to properly assess the quality of an addiction treatment center before committing themselves to their care.

We can help you overcome these issues. Whether you’re struggling financially or simply don’t know where to go for help, we are here to answer any questions you may have regarding addiction treatment. Call us today for more information; we’ll make sure you can find the help you need.