In recent years since the onset of what has been proclaimed as the ‘Opioid Epidemic’ we have seen the news flooded with harrowing stories of struggle, anguish, and loss. While this added attention has helped to curtail the stigma of addiction it has often fallen short of addressing the many barriers that are present for those who are struggling. In 2023, over 48 million people aged 12 or older in the United States reported to having a substance use disorder, stressing the need to help this population is dire. In the United States there is currently a significant needs gap for people looking to access treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) and addressing this need gap needs to be a top priority.
A quick look at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMSA) survey on drug use from 2023 showed that of the 48 million people over 12 with SUD in the past year, less than one-third received any kind of treatment. While many will point to personal responsibility and put the onus on those with SUD, the fact that less than one third of people with SUD are receiving treatment speaks to further systemic issues and access to treatment.
As someone with previous experience working in an emergency room, the barriers to seeking treatment were constantly present. Often people would come in actively seeking treatment but were unable to be placed due to lack of availability, insurance issues, or other financial restraints. While expansions to public insurance have looked to assist with treatment accessibility it has in fact created little to no reduction of barriers to treatment. In fact, there has actually been increased reports of people not being aware of available services, inability to access needed services, and worries about stigma around seeking treatment.
While the increased awareness of substance use disorder and the understanding of addiction as a treatable disease has been a welcome change, there continues to be more work to do to provide care to those in need. Increasing education around treatment options available and how to access them is paramount to combating the needs gap that currently exists. Equally as pertinent is creating more opportunities for treatment across all levels of SUD care. More inpatient, outpatient, residential, peer lead, and harm reduction resources can help to provide care by supporting people across all stages of their recovery.
Addressing this needs gap stresses the importance of organizations that provide a multitude of services. One such non-profit organization, Riverbend, looks to address SUD through multiple different paths to recovery. Treating addiction is not one size fits all. For some people the best path may be to participate in individual or group therapy in an outpatient setting. For others the added structure of a residential recovery home or support of sober living may be the best salutation. And there are many people who may first learn about their available options through the efforts of an outreach worker or by stopping into a peer-led Recovery Café. The importance of organizations, like Riverbend, that provide people with SUD to seek the care they specifically need cannot be understated.
With improved education and accessibility to treatment for all people with SUD, we can strive for a world where the stories of hope and recovery are just as dominant as their counterparts are in the media.
References
Substance Use & Substance Use Disorders | CDC Yellow Book 2024. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2025, from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/additional-considerations/substance-use
Section 5 PE Tables—Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables, SAMHSA, CBHSQ. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2025, from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt47100/NSDUHDetailedTabs2023/NSDUHDetailedTabs2023/2023-nsduh-detailed-tables-sect5pe.htm
Tomko, C., Olfson, M., & Mojtabai, R. (2022). Gaps and barriers in drug and alcohol treatment following implementation of the affordable care act. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 5, 100115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100115