Erik Leviathan

Whether it’s a problem with alcohol, Opioids, Cocaine, or any other substance, addiction kills thousands of Americans every year and impacts millions of lives. Addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD), is a chronic mental health condition. Because it affects the brain’s normal functions, an SUD compels someone to repeatedly use substances or engage in behaviors even though they have harmful consequences. Addictions can destroy marriages, friendships, and careers and threaten a person’s basic health and safety. Almost 21 million Americans have at least 1 addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment. Drug overdose deaths have more than tripled since 1990. Alcohol and drug addiction cost the US economy over $600 billion every year. About 20% of Americans who have depression or an anxiety disorder also have a substance use disorder. More than 90% of people who have an addiction started to drink alcohol or use drugs before they were 18 years old. Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 are most likely to use addictive drugs.