Nearly 3 in 4 Americans believe they can help loved ones with addiction

Key takeaways:

• 73% of Americans would refer a loved one to treatment; 74% would initiate a conversation on rehab.
• Adults aged 18 to 34 were twice as likely as older adults to reveal they knew someone struggling with addiction.

Results of a recent poll revealed that 71% of U.S. adults believe know how to get a friend or family member help with addiction, while 73% said they would refer a loved one to recovery treatment and 74% would initiate a conversation.

According to results of the new Healthy Minds Monthly poll by the American Psychiatric Association, 65% of U.S. adults reported that recovery from substance use disorder or other mental illness meant a person would be better able to function in life, when prompted to choose among different options.

The survey canvassed 2,201 adults from Aug. 12 to Aug. 13, as America recognizes National Recovery Month in September.

The poll further found that 24% of Americans would most likely recommend in-patient treatment to a friend or family member, with 23% responding they’d steer someone to support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. A total of 19% of those polled expressed either no opinion or didn’t know what treatment they’d recommend to those in need.

“It’s promising, especially during Recovery Month, that Americans show such openness to talking with loved ones who may have substance use disorders or behavioral addictions,” APA President Petros Levounis, MD, MA, said in the release. “Physicians like me need to continue to educate patients and families about other safe and effective methods of treating addiction, such as medications and cognitive behavioral therapy.”

Some promising news was revealed in the poll, as 44% of younger adults aged 18 to 34 years were found to be twice as likely as those aged 65 years or older (22%) to admit they know someone who may be struggling with addiction and were more likely than their older counterparts to admit initiating conversations with someone they know who may be dealing with addiction.

Overall, 36% of those surveyed said they knew someone dealing with addiction. Among those, 80% reported they would most likely refer someone struggling with addiction to recovery, and 81% said they would initiate a conversation about it.

“Reaching younger generations with credible, evidence-based information on social media, particularly about subjects like mental illness and addiction, is critical,” APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, MD, MPA, said in the release. “The trends in the poll absolutely support that organizations like ours have a role to play in ensuring medically accurate information is available and widespread on these channels.”