A COUNTRY FACING ADDICTION Does the U.S have adequate support for those dealing withDRUG

WRITTEN BY EDWARD SEGAL

Substance use is an issue that can reach the deepest depths of any community in the world and can tear anyone apart with no regard for their background or demographics. But many resources are available to help people overcome the battle before it is too late.

“Substance abuse” is de ned by Verywell Mind as “a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes,” and is not limited to illegal drugs or even prescription ones.

e “2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health” found that 59.3 million Americans aged 12 or older used some kind of illicit drug within a year of taking the survey. In 2019, this number was 57.2 million, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

e 2020 survey also reported that 40.3 million Americans — about 14.5% of the U.S. population — have a “substance abuse disorder.” e Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that the COVID-19 pandemic is partially responsible for the increased rates of drug use in 2020, with many individuals stating that the outbreak a ected their mental health.

With a variety of factors playing a role in people’s decisions to start using, it is almost impossible to nd one way to tame this beast that works for everyone.

A good place to start is USA.gov, a federal government website that lists