Most US adults have family, personal connection to addiction: Poll
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Over 27% of those with family members with alcohol and drug addictions say their mental health has been substantially impacted.
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Two addicts sleep in an alley in Los Angeles, Sept. 21, 2022 (AP)
According to a recent KFF poll, addiction is impacting the family ties, mental health, and economics of the majority of individuals in the United States.
The results paint a stark image of how escalating substance abuse is affecting Americans, even those who are not addicts themselves.
Over 27% of those with family members with alcohol and drug addictions say their mental health has been substantially impacted.
Read more: Drug overdose deaths in the US increase by 28.5%
The health monitoring poll, which took place in mid-July and was released Tuesday, discovered that 66% of American adults had personal or familial involvement with alcohol or drug addiction.
Homelessness caused by addiction or a drug overdose leading to an emergency room visit, hospitalization, or death is included.
However, the link to addiction was more likely to be through a family member than through personal experience.
According to the statistics, about half (51%) of individuals are concerned that someone in their family would develop a substance use issue or get addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Almost one-third (32%) are anxious that someone in their family may overdose on opioids, and approximately 40% are concerned that a family member will accidentally consume fentanyl.
About one-third (30%) of people claim they or someone in their family has been addicted to opioids, which include prescription pain relievers as well as illicit narcotics such as heroin.
Read more: White substance found at White House confirmed as cocaine
Less than half (46%) of respondents who say they or a family member were addicted to prescription pain relievers, alcohol, or any illicit substance claim they received therapy.
The fear of a family member having a serious mental health crisis or a substance use disorder was most prevalent among those with incomes of less than $40,000 per year.
Almost all respondents support addiction treatment centers in their community (90%) and making the opioid reversal drug Narcan available for free in bars, health clinics, and fire stations.
Nearly half (45%) back safe consumption sites where people can use illegal drugs with trained personnel in case of an emergency.
