National Survey on Drug Use and Health: OUD decreases, mental illness increases
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said that findings from its national survey “reflect impressive progress” on the opioid epidemic in the U.S., but substance use and mental illness remain significant problems.
The prevalence of opioid use disorder decreased to 1.6 million cases, down from 2.1 million in 2018; pain reliever misuse decreased in youths aged 12 to 17 years and is trending downward in adults aged 18 to 25 years; and heroin initiation declined by 57%, according to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) attributed the decrease to improved access to medication-assisted treatment and recovery support.
“The NSDUH data provide a foundation that helps to focus resources to address the important areas of mental health and substance use issues in our nation,” Elinore McCance-Katz, MD, PhD, the assistant secretary for mental health and substance use for HHS, said in a press release. “I am especially pleased to see that our opioid abuse prevention efforts appear to be working, and we will continue to deliver those important messages.”
The survey data showed that prescription stimulant misuse also trended downward in individuals aged 18 to 25 years.
However, other forms of substance use as well as episodes of mental illness are trending upwards. In adults aged 26 years and older, methamphetamine use and past-month and past-year daily or almost daily cannabis use increased significantly in adults aged 26 years and older, the release said. Past-year cannabis use disorder significantly increased in adolescents.
Major depressive episodes and other incidences of mental illness increased across age groups under 50 years. Serious mental illness significantly increased in adults aged 18 to 49 years. Major depressive episodes with severe impairment significantly increased in adolescents and young adults. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors significantly increased in adults aged 26 to 49 years between 2009 and 2019.
Polysubstance use, as well as comorbid substance use and mental disorders, are common, per the release. SAMHSA said it would continue providing technical assistance and training on comorbid mental health and substance use disorders.