
Facts and Resources
Fast Facts

Helpful Resources
24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
Trained specialists helping parents whose children are abusing drugs or alcohol.
Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm ET,
1-855-DRUGFREE (378-4373)
www.drugfree.org/get-help/helpline
Veteran's Crisis Line
Connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential, toll-free 24/7, 365 days a year hotline, online chat, or text.
1-800-273-8255 :: TTY: 1-800-799-4889
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Alcoholic Anonymous
â–¶ Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of premature mortality in the United States. On average, 178,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually in the U.S. CDC, 2024.[1]
â–¶ 3 million deaths globally are attributed to alcohol consumption each year, making it one of the top preventable causes of death worldwide. World Health Organization (WHO), 2021 [2]
â–¶ In 2022, approximately 9.5 million Americans aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder involving prescription pain relievers. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2022 [3]
â–¶ About 514,000 Americans had a heroin use disorder in 2022. SAMHSA, 2022 [3]
â–¶ 290 million people worldwide (1 in 16 adults) are estimated to have used an illicit drug at least once in their lifetime. UNODC, World Drug Report 2024 [4]
â–¶ From 2003 to 2021, there was a 5-fold increase in the total number of deaths from benzodiazepines in the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, 2023 [5]
â–¶ Only about 7.7% of adults aged 18 or older with alcohol use disorder (AUD) received treatment at a specialty facility in the past year. 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) [6]
â–¶ It is estimated that 50-70% of patients with benzodiazepine use disorder also have a co-occurring substance use disorder. Gold MS, Miller NS, Stennie K, Populla-Vardi C. Epidemiology of benzodiazepine use and dependence. Psychiatric Annals, 1995 [7]
References:
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alcohol and Public Health, 2023: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/facts-stats/index.html
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World Health Organization (WHO), Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health, 2021: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/release/2022-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-releases
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United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Drug Report 2024 https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/world-drug-report-2024.html
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National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, 2023: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm
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SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2023 https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2023-nsduh-detailed-tables
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Gold MS, Miller NS, Stennie K, Populla-Vardi C. "Epidemiology of benzodiazepine use and dependence." Psychiatric Annals, 1995:

Helping friends and family who are addicted to drugs.
WHAT IS A DRUG ADDICTION? SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Definition of Addiction by American Society of Addiction Medicine
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by the inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response.
Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.
DSM V CRITERIA FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
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Use in larger amounts/longer periods than intended
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Unsuccessful efforts to cut down
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Excessive time spent taking drug
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Failure to fulfill major obligations
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Continued use despite knowledge of problems
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Important activities given up
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Recurrent use in physically hazardous situations
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Continued use despite social or interpersonal problems
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Tolerance as defined by either a need for markedly increased amounts to achieve intoxication or desired effect or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount.
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Withdrawal manifesting as either characteristic syndrome or the substance is used to avoid withdrawal
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Craving or a strong desire to use
The Severity of each Substance Use Disorder is based on:
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0 to 1 criteria: No diagnosis
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2 to 3 criteria: Mild
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4 to 5 criteria: Moderate
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6 or more criteria: Severe