Policy Issues & Resources: Substance Use Disorders

Although first recognized as a disease in 1956 by the American Medical Association, until recently, little progress has been made in understanding and managing addiction as a chronic health condition.  Addiction affects millions of individuals and families every year, yet it is often undiagnosed or ignored, resulting in incredible costs; the annual combined costs incurred by health care, lost productivity, and crime related to untreated addiction have been estimated at $365 billion. In a recent survey, 63% of those polled said addiction had an impact on their lives, and for most the addiction was among a family member.

The National Council will continue its efforts to ensure that prevention and treatment services for addictions are covered by public and private payers similarly to other chronic conditions. 

Recent News  I  Official Letters  I  Fact Sheets  I  Summaries & Charts  I  Additional Resources

Recent News

• New Poll Shows Strong Support for Expanding Access to Addiction Treatment
• New ONDCP Deputy Director Names Two of his Top Goals: Full Inclusion of Addiction Treatment in Healthcare System and Partnerships Between Treatment & Community Corrections
  
   

Official Letters

• The National Council signed onto a letter requesting that funding for the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities State Grants program be restored.
• The National Council signed onto a letter supporting the elimination of the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange programs.
• National Council signed onto a Letter supporting an Increase in Taxes on Alcohol.
• National Council Joins More Than 200 Groups on Letter to Congress Supporting Increased SAPT Block Grant Funding in 2008.
  
• Letter to Senator Harkin requesting increased funding for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant  in 2007.

Fact Sheets

• Impact of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders on State Budgets Fact Sheet 
• Federal mental health, drug and alcohol prevention, treatment and research funding, FY 2008-2010
• Support $150 million increase for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant
• Center for Science in the Public Interest Fact Sheet on the Impact of Increasing Taxes on Alcohol
• Substance Use and Child Welfare
• Preventing and Treating Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Approach
• Access to Treatment for Justice Involved Individuals 

Summaries & Charts

• State by State Listing of Alcohol Taxes
• Funding for Addictions Prevention, Treatment, and Research Programs in President Bush's FY 09 Proposed Budget 

Additional Resources

• October 19-25 Named Drug-Free Work Week; Toolkits and Resources Available Online
   
• On July 21 the National Council will co-sponsor a briefing hosted by the Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus on "How and Why Community-Based Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems Work."
• Online SBIRT Training for Trauma Centers
• SAMHSA Report on Addiction Funding for Each State
• Study Finds Investing $1 in Addiction Prevention Strategies Could Save $10 in Societal Costs
• NIAAA Creates Website to Assess & Address Drinking Risks
• Recording and Presentation from National Council Live on Advances in Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction
• National Council Live on How State Policies Influence Substance Use Treatment: Focus on Naltrexone Adoption
• Click Here for Additional Resources on Substance Use Disorders