Millions Need Alcohol and Drug Treatment, But Most Don't Seek Help

Each year, about four million people in the United States seek some kind of treatment for a problem related to the use of alcohol and drugs, but that leaves around 20 million people who need substance abuse treatment but do not receive it.

According to data gleaned from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 23.6 million people over age 12 in the U.S. met the criteria for substance abuse or dependence in the past year, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV).

But, since only about 4 million people received treatment for their disorder, it means millions upon millions of U.S. residents needed help, but did not get it.

Millions Don't Recognize The Problem

Of the 20 or so million people in 2006 who needed specialized treatment and did not receive it, only 940,000 reported that they felt they needed treatment. In other words, the vast majority of people each year who need treatment do not believe they do.

Of the 940,000 people who said they needed treatment in a specialty facility, only 314,000 made an effort to get treatment, while 625,000 made no effort, according to the NSDUH study.

Alcohol Still Most Abused Drug

Of those who were classified as needing treatment:

• About 15.6 million needed treatment for alcohol disorders only.
  
• 3.8 million needed treatment for drug abuse only.
  
• 3.2 million needed treatment for both alcohol and drugs.

Although only 2.5 million people in 2006 received treatment in a facility specializing in substance abuse treatment, if you add those who sought help from a support group without seeking professional treatment also, the number of people who received some form of treatment was 4 million.

2.2 Million Helped by Support Groups

Of the 4 million people aged 12 or over who received some kind of treatment in 2006:

• 2.2 million received treatment at a self-help group.

• 1.6 million received outpatient treatment at a rehabilitation facility.

• 1.1 million received outpatient treatment at a mental health center.

• 934,000 received inpatient treatment at a rehabilitation facility.

• 816,000 received inpatient treatment at a hospital.

• 610,000 received treatment at a private doctor's office.

• 420,000 received treatment at a prison or jail.

• 297,000 received treatment at an emergency room.

Marijuana Most Abuse Illicit Drug

Of the 4 million people who received some kind of treatment in 2006 for substance abuse problems:

• 2.5 million received treatment for alcohol.
  
• 1.2 million received treatment for marijuana.
  
• 928,000 received treatment for cocaine.
  
• 547,000 received treatment for pain relievers.
  
• 535,000 received treatment for stimulants.
  
• 466,000 received treatment for heroin.
  
• 442,000 received treatment for hallucinogens.

Survey participants were allowed to indicate if they received treatment for more than one substance during their most recent treatment.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there was no significant change between the NSDUH statistics reported in 2006 and those reported in 2002.

^{Sources:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. "Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings" Sept. 6, 2007.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. "New National Survey Reveals Drug Use Down Among Adolescents in U.S." Sept. 6, 2007.}