Substance use disorder touches two thirds of Americans, and only a quarter with opioid use disorder receive medications for this

August 29, 2023

Impact of Substance Use Disorder

Source: Sparks, et al KFF Tracking Poll August 15, 2023 LINK

KFF reported this month that three in ten US adults (29%) say that they or someone in their family have ever been addicted to opioids, and two thirds (66%) say that they or someone in their families has been addicted to alcohol, prescription painkillers, any illegal drug, experienced homelessness due to addiction, required emergency or inpatient care from an overdose or died from an overdose.

KFF reports that a minority of those with substance use disorder received inpatient or outpatient therapy.

Source: Sparks, et al KFF Tracking Poll August 15, 2023 LINK

Researchers analyzing a large federal survey database in JAMA Network Open found similar results. Of those with opioid use disorder, only 26% received medication assisted therapy (MAT), which is the only approach clinically proven to be effective at decreasing risk of opioid use. Factors that significantly increased use of MAT were more severe opioid use, income under $20,000 and use of telemedicine.

Implications for employers:

-        The impact of substance use disorder is enormous, especially when alcoholism is included.

-        Employers can support a Recovery-Friendly Workplace and promote community-based supports (SMART Recovery, 12-step programs, or Life Ring)

-        Employee assistance programs can help employees address their own or family members’ substance use.  

-        Access to substance use disorder treatment is severely constrained in many communities.

-        Employers can ask their carriers to report on substance use disorder treatment access, MAT use.

-        Telemedicine is a promising approach to monitoring use of MAT, and those getting their medication monitoring through telemedicine may be more likely to be able to continue their work without disruption.

Wednesday: A professional society is not enthusiastic about lower age for colon cancer screening

You can find previous posts in the Employer Coverage archive

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