This is a staggering statistic.
Released yesterday, The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that in the last year, approximately 7 million young American adults, aged 18 to 25 years, were classified as ‘in need of treatment’ for substance abuse issues. This is the equivalent to 1 in 5 persons in that age group.
Of the 7 million, 93% never received any professional or specialized treatment. Moreover, an unbelievable 96% of those classified in need of but did not receive treatment, did not perceive themselves as having a substance abuse problem. Of the 4% who did recognize that they were in need of help, only about a third actually sought treatment out.
During the past year, a little over 17% were struggling with alcohol addiction problems; 8.4% with illicit drug dependency; and 4.4% with a combination of drug and alcohol abuse.
SAMHSA Acting Administrator, Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H., said in a statement:
“Substance use disorders are preventable and treatable yet we continue as a Nation to allow the lives of 1 in 5 young people and their families be torn apart by substance abuse. As a nation we must redouble our efforts to prevent substance abuse in the first place and ensure treatment is available to those in need.”