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September 2023

Substance abuse disorders - prevention, treatment, and recovery

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a leading cause of disability in the United States, with millions of individuals experiencing significant impairments, including negative health impacts and an inability to effectively meet responsibilities at home, school, or in the workplace.¹Polysubstance abuse, or the mixing of multiple illicit substances, is common^.2

The 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) prepared by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) reported that in the US:

61.2 million people 12 or older (21.9% of the population) used illicit drugs in the past year.³

46.3 million people 12 or older (16.5% of the population) met DSM-5 criteria for having a substance use disorder this past year.³

94% of people 12 or older with a substance use disorder did not receive any form of treatment.³

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Prevention

Substance abuse prevention, commonly targeted at children and teens, attempts to prevent substance use and limit problems associated with illicit drugs. These efforts may focus on both the individual as well as their surrounding environment.⁴

Promoting the prevention of substance abuse

October has been designated National Substance Abuse Prevention month as a time to spotlight the vital importance of substance abuse prevention at individual and community levels, including remembering those who have lost their lives to substance abuse and acknowledging individuals in recovery and those supporting them.

SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week (May 12^th – May 18^th, 2024) highlights the work of communities and organizations working to raise awareness of substance misuse prevention, celebrating year-round initiatives and positive impacts.

Treatment and recovery

SAMHSA defines recovery as “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” Achieving recovery is dependent upon licensed, accredited, and evidence-based treatment.

Among other tools, appropriate drug testing can have important clinical applications in the treatment of substance use disorders and in the monitoring of patients who are prescribed potentially addictive medications.

Drug testing in SUD treatment can serve as:⁵

An initial assessment during evaluation for SUD diagnosis
A screen for preventing potential adverse effects of pharmacotherapy
A method of monitoring patient illicit substance use or adherence to pharmacotherapy treatment
A way to assess treatment plan efficacy

In healthcare settings, drug testing is useful for:⁵

Determining/refuting perinatal maternal drug use
An addition to counseling and psychiatric care
Monitoring compliance during treatment with opioids or other medications with the potential for abuse
Detecting drug use or abuse that may negatively impact care of the patient in other medical specialties

Explore drug testing products from Thermo Fisher Scientific

Test tubes being used to conduct a drug test

Drugs of abuse testing

Urine testing

Urine drug screen cups

Event Highlights

A variety of national and international events put a spotlight on substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery, educating the public on these issues to mobilize efforts and resources towards the fight against substance abuse and the opioid pandemic.

National Substance Abuse Prevention month
SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week
International Overdose Awareness Day
National Recovery Month
International Recovery Day
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

On-Demand webinars

Here you will find on-demand webinars from key opinion leaders, presentations, resources, and videos. Learn more

Learn more

Explore the new expanded test menu for Point-of-Care CLIA-waived urine cups. Find out more

Let’s connect

We invite you to send questions, comments, or suggestions for topics to help us better. Contact us at LetsTalkTox@thermofisher.com

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Archive

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^{1. SAMHSA (2023, June 9). Prevention of Substance Use and Mental Disorders https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/prevention#substance-use-disorder-prevention
2. CDC (2022, February 23). Polysubstance Use Facts. CDC Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhttps://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/polysubstance-use/index.html
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2021 (NSDUH-2021-DS0001). Retrieved fromhttps://datafiles.samhsa.gov/
4. NCADD (n.d.). Community Prevention. NCADD National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of the East San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, Inc.https://www.ncaddesgpv.org/services/29-community-prevention
5. (2012). Clinical Drug Testing in Primary Care (p. 5). SAMHSA.https://store.samhsa.gov/product/TAP-32-Clinical-Drug-Testing-Primary-Care/SMA12-4668}

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