CSWE Full Circle September 2014

Volume 2014, Issue 9

SAMHSA Report Shows Extent of Substance Use and Mental Illness in America

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a report that provides insight into the nature and scope of substance use and mental illness issues affecting America. The report, Substance Use and Mental Health Estimates from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Overview of Findings, was drawn from some of the key results of SAMHSA’s 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report.

National survey data from 2013, as well as information on the efforts and resources being taken to address these problems, is being released in conjunction with the 25th annual observance of National Recovery Month. The report shows that nearly one in five American adults has had a mental illness in 2013 and that 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users.