America's Need for and Receipt of Substance Use Treatment in 2015

Abstract

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) affect people of all age groups and from different socioeconomic statuses. These disorders are common and recurrent, but people experiencing these disorders may benefit from treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports information from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) on substance use treatment (i.e., treatment for problems related to the use of alcohol or illicit drugs) in the United States to help evaluate access to and use of substance use treatment. Method: This report uses 2015 NSDUH data to examine the need for and receipt of substance use treatment at a specialty facility among people aged 12 or older. Results: The findings in this report suggest that the majority of people aged 12 or older who needed substance use treatment in the United States do not receive treatment at a specialty facility. Also, a large proportion of those who need substance use treatment do not perceive a need for it. In addition, receipt of substance use treatment at a specialty facility and perceived need for treatment among those who needed substance use treatment varied by age group. Compared with adults aged 26 or older, lower percentages of adolescents and young adults who needed substance use treatment received treatment at a specialty facility, and lower percentages of adolescents and young adults felt they needed treatment for their substance use. Conclusion: This report provides the most current findings from NSDUH on the receipt of substance use treatment among people aged 12 or older in the United States. Findings presented in the report can be useful for monitoring the need for substance use treatment among all people aged 12 or older and assessing whether they receive treatment at a specialty facility for their substance use.