- In 2013, an estimated 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or older were
current (past month) illicit drug users, meaning they had used an
illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview, according
to latest data and reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
and Services Administration (SAMHSA).
- The rate of current illicit drug use among persons aged 12 or older in 2013 (9.4 percent) was similar to the rates in 2010 (8.9 percent) and 2012 (9.2 percent), but it was higher than the rates in 2002 to 2009 and in 2011 (ranging from 7.9 to 8.7 percent).
- Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug in 2013. There were 19.8 million past month users in 2013 (7.5 percent of those aged 12 or older), which was similar to the number and rate in 2012 (18.9 million or 7.3 percent).
- In 2013, there were 1.5 million current cocaine users aged 12 or older, or 0.6 percent of the population. These estimates were similar to the numbers and rates in 2009 to 2012 (ranging from 1.4 million to 1.7 million or from 0.5 to 0.7 percent).
- The number of past year heroin users in 2013 (681,000) was similar to the numbers in 2009 to 2012 (ranging from 582,000 to 669,000) and was higher than the numbers in 2002 to 2005, 2007, and 2008 (ranging from 314,000 to 455,000).
- Slightly more than half (52.2 percent) of Americans aged 12 or older reported being current drinkers of alcohol in the 2013 survey, which was similar to the rate in 2012 (52.1 percent). This translates to an estimated 136.9 million current drinkers in 2013.
- In 2013, nearly one quarter (22.9 percent) of persons aged 12 or older were binge alcohol users in the past 30 days. This translates to about 60.1 million people. The rate in 2013 was similar to the estimate in 2012 (23.0 percent).
- In 2013, an estimated 66.9 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) users of a tobacco product. This represents 25.5 percent of the population in that age range. Also, 55.8 million persons (21.3 percent of the population) were current cigarette smokers; 12.4 million (4.7 percent) smoked cigars; 8.8 million (3.4 percent) used smokeless tobacco; and 2.3 million (0.9 percent) smoked tobacco in pipes.
This estimate represents 9.4 percent of the population aged 12 or older.
Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack),
heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type
psychotherapeutics (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and
sedatives) used nonmedically.
What do these facts mean to a mental health counselor?
First, alcohol is complicit in 25 percent of successful suicides and 56 percent of domestic abuse cases.
Second, substance abuse is involved in 25 to 30 percent of all emergency room visits and four out of five minors arrested for crimes are drug or alcohol involved.
Third, it is also estimated that 22 to 34 million children grow up in alcoholic households and suffer accordingly. Children who do grow up in these environments have a ten times greater chance of developing their own problems with drugs and drinking.
Fourth, it is estimated that 11-12 million people have co-occurring addictive and mental health disorders. On this last point, what is not well known is despite increasing evidence that outcomes for persons with co-occurring disorders improve when care is provided in a comprehensive and integrated fashion, is access to effective services remains elusive to most individuals with these disorders. And not providing these services is ultimately more costly both in terms of dollars and quality of life.
In 2013, 22.7 million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem (8.6 percent of persons aged 12 or older). The number in 2013 was similar to the numbers in 2002 to 2012 (ranging from 21.6 million to 23.6 million).
The Affordable Care Act’s essential benefits package includes services for substance use services. AMHCA’s studies highlight that millions of people with a substance use condition will benefit from those provisions as people will access to affordable services who were previously uninsured.
Prior to the ACA, some key alcohol and substance use treatment services persisted despite limited resources and public ambivalence about the value of addictions treatment.
Due to reforms, substance use and mental health counselors over the next decade will thrive if they focus on the development of quality improvement strategies to document the effectiveness and outcomes of their services and are accountable.
Moreover, as practitioners who are part of insurer networks and other arrangements enhance their skills – which will be critically important – they will become more integrated into health care, behavioral health and mental health, and support and criminal justice systems.
The good news for the profession is that systematic evolution will promote a continuing role for specialty alcohol and substance use treatment programming.