{"id":5608,"date":"2016-11-17T18:59:01","date_gmt":"2016-11-18T01:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scramsystems.com\/blog\/?p=5608"},"modified":"2021-08-26T11:48:28","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T17:48:28","slug":"surgeon-general-addiction-is-a-public-health-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scramsystems.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/surgeon-general-addiction-is-a-public-health-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Surgeon General: Addiction is a Public Health Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today the U.S. Surgeon General released a first-of-its-kind report about addiction that shows how widely and deeply drug and alcohol misuse and abuse are impacting the nation\u2019s health. In his preface, current Surgeon General Vivek Murthy hopes the report will have the same impact on addiction as the Surgeon General\u2019s report 50 years ago did on the dangers of tobacco and smoking.<\/p>\n

According to Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General\u2019s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health<\/em><\/a>, 20.8 million Americans currently struggle with substance misuse\u2014greater than the number of people battling cancer. When factoring in the impact on family, friends, and the community, the report makes it clear that addiction is a national public health crisis\u2014and one in need of a major shift in how it is addressed.<\/p>\n

Many Face Addiction But Few Seek Help<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Unlike most other diseases, substance abuse often comes with a deep stigma that prevents people from seeking help. The report estimates that only 10% of those suffering with addiction actually seek treatment. In response, the report calls for greater access to and better options for treatment services, improved public education to increase awareness, and research-informed public policies.<\/p>\n

Substance Abuse a Big Hit on Nation\u2019s Wallet<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The report also estimates \u201cthat the yearly economic impact of substance misuse is $249 billion for alcohol misuse and $193 billion for illicit drug use\u201d\u2014for a combined total of $442 billion. In comparison, the economic impact of another\u00a0prevelent health disease\u2014diabetes\u2014is estimated at $245 billion. These costs are tied to \u201clost workplace productivity (in part, due to premature mortality), health care expenses, law enforcement and other criminal justice costs (e.g., drug-related crimes), and losses from motor vehicle crashes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alcohol Still Primary Concern<\/strong><\/h4>\n

While disturbing spikes in drug-related overdoses and deaths have rightly drawn renewed attention to the problem of drug abuse, the report reinforces that alcohol is still America\u2019s most used and abused substance.<\/p>\n

\"alcohol-chart\"<\/p>\n

Some key findings on alcohol:<\/p>\n