Statistics

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER/DRUG ADDICTION

Substance abuse [now termed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) as Substance Use Disorders] refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome – a cluster of behavioural, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and that typically include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state. (1)

Substance use disorders occur when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causes clinically and functionally significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home. According to the DSM-V, a diagnosis of substance use disorder is based on evidence of impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria. (2)

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. Repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a “relapsing” disease— people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug. (3)

In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. (4)

(1)World Health Organization. Substance Abuse, http://www.who.int/topics/substance_abuse/en/ (last visited November 20, 2017).
(2) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Substance Use Disorders, http://www.samhsa.gov/disorders/substance-use (last visited November 20, 2017).
(3) National Institute on Drug Abuse, Understanding Drug Use and Addiction, http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction (last visited November 20, 2017).
(4) World Health Organization. Substance Abuse, http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/information-sheet/en/ (last visited November 20, 2017).

Numbers of People Aged 12 or Older with a Past Year Substance Use Disorder:

2016

Note: Estimated numbers of people refer to people aged 12 or older in the civilian, non-institutionalized population in the United States. The numbers do not sum to the total population of the United States because the population for NSDUH does not include people aged 11 years old or younger, people with no fixed household address (e.g., homeless or transient people not in shelters), active-duty military personnel, and residents of institutional group quarters, such as correctional facilities, nursing homes, mental institutions, and long-term care hospitals.

Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year among People Aged 12 or Older, by Age Group:

2016

OPIOID USE DISORDER

Opioids are a group of chemically similar drugs that include heroin and prescription pain relievers such as hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin®), oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin®), and morphine.

Symptoms of opioid use disorders include strong desire for opioids, inability to control or reduce use, continued use despite interference with major obligations or social functioning, use of larger amounts over time, development of tolerance, spending a great deal of time to obtain and use opioids, and withdrawal symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing use, such as negative mood, nausea or vomiting, muscle aches, diarrhea, fever, and insomnia. (5)

(5) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Substance Use Disorders, http://www.samhsa.gov/disorders/substance-use (last visited November 20, 2017).

In 2014, over 240 million prescriptions were written for prescription opioids—a number that has tripled over the last ten years. The unprecedented rise and availability of prescription opioids has resulted in the rapid increase of drug overdose deaths, misuse/abuse, and addictions/dependencies. Some startling facts about the opioid epidemic from the CDC and SAMHSA include:

In 2015, more than 15,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids.
In 2015, almost 2.4 million Americans had an opioid use disorder however approximately 80% of them did not receive treatment.

As many as 1 in 4 people who receive prescription opioids long term for noncancer pain in primary care settings struggle with addiction.
Every day, over 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids.

Main Reason for the Most Recent Prescription Pain Reliever Misuse among People Aged 12 or Older Who Misused Prescription Pain Relievers in the Past Year:

Percentages, 2016

11.5 Million People Aged 12 or Older Who Misused Prescription Pain Relievers in the Past Year.

Note: The percentages do not add to 100 percent due to rounding.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

It’s common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn’t mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs. (6)

(6) National Institute on Drug Abuse, Understanding Drug Use and Addiction, http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction (last visited November 20, 2017).

WHY NOW?

Introduction to new pharmaceutical grade and synthetic drugs with high risks of addiction and overdose.
• Fentanyl (100 times more potent than Morphine)
• Carfentanil (1000 times more potent than Morphine)
• Alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (base chemicals in street drugs such as Flakka, Bath Salts, Gravel and “Zombie Drug”)
OVERALL COSTS FOR UNTREATED SUBSTANCE ABUSERS.
• The cost of an average PBCFR “run” is between $1,000 and $1,500. (9)

Increase deaths due to overdose.
• In 2015, heroin caused 733 deaths, 2 fentanyl, 705, oxycodone, 565, and hydrocodone, 236. (7)
• In 2016 Medical Examiners Report “5,725 opioid-related deaths were reported, which is a 35 percent increase (1,483 more) [from 2015]. The opioids were identified as either the cause of death or merely present in the decedent.”
• Total drug-related deaths increased by 22 percent (2,126 more). (8)
NEW HOUSING REGULATORY BODY.
• Recovery residence that is certified by a credentialing entity (currently FARR) and managed by a certified recovery residence administrator (currently FCB).

(7) Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons by Florida Medical Examiners, 2015 Annual Report, FDLE (September 2016)
(8) Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons by Florida Medical Examiners, 2016 Annual Report, FDLE (November 2017)
(9) Palm Beach County Sober Homes Task Force Report 2017, Jan. 1, 2017, available at http://www.sa15.state.fl.us/stateattorney/SoberHomes/_content/SHTFReport2017.pdf (last visited November 20, 2017).

Comparison of drug caused deaths in Florida

2013 – 2016

Need for Substance Use Treatment in the Past Year among People Aged 12 or Older, by Age Group: 2016

In 2016, an estimated 21.0 million people aged 12 or older needed substance use treatment. Stated another way, about 1 in 13 people aged 12 or older (7.8 percent) needed substance use treatment.