Substance use disorders are common in the U.S. I define substance use disorders in my post What is Substance Use Disorder. Approximately 10 percent of adults in America have a substance use disorder. This means that the prevalence of substance use disorders in the U.S. is on par with illnesses such as diabetes and kidney disease. However, many people with addictions feel ashamed or isolated by their condition. I created this post to highlight that you are not alone.
Prevalence of Substance Use Disorders
I hope that this post helped you to realize you’re not alone if you have a substance use disorder. Addiction and substance use disorders are common. More importantly, they are treatable illnesses.
The CAGE questionnaire is a 4-question survey that you can take to help assess whether you might have a problem with alcohol or other substance. If you or a loved one answered yes to two or more of the questions in the CAGE questionnaire, it might be a good idea for you to reach out to a primary care doctor or psychiatrist for further assessment, additional information, and next steps. The Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is also a valuable resource for additional information.
Of note, the contents of this post are not intended to diagnose or treat. Additionally, this post does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.
Dr. Atasha Jordan is an Ivy League-trained psychiatry resident and businesswoman. Learn more about Dr. Jordan here. Feel free to send a message and subscribe to the newsletter!
