Substance misuse and substance use disorders directly affect millions of Americans every year, causing motor vehicle crashes, crimes, injuries, reduced quality of life, impaired health, and far too many deaths. Throughout this Report, we have summarized the research demonstrating that:
- The problems caused by substance misuse are not limited to substance use disorders, but include many other possible health and safety problems that can result from substance misuse even in the absence of a disorder
- Substance use has complex biological and social determinants, and substance use disorders are medical conditions involving disruption of key brain circuits
- Prevention programs and policies that are based on sound evidence-based principles have been shown to reduce substance misuse and related harms significantly
- Evidence-based behavioral and medication-assisted treatments (MAT) applied using a chronic-illness-management approach have been shown to facilitate recovery from substance use disorders, prevent relapse, and improve other outcomes, such as reducing criminal behavior and the spread of infectious diseases
- A chronic-illness-management approach may be needed to treat the most severe substance use disorders
- Access to recovery support services can help former substance users achieve and sustain long-term wellness
Embedding prevention, treatment, and recovery services into the larger health care system will increase access to care, improve quality of services, and produce improved outcomes for countless Americans.
Review other sections of Vision for the Future:
