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Report Cites Reasons for Not Receiving Substance Abuse Treatment

According to a new SAMHSA report, even when people recognize they are having problems with alcohol or drugs, many do not seek treatment because they are not ready to stop using. Reasons for Not Receiving Substance Abuse Treatment presents data collected by SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), formerly known as the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. According to the report, many people do not believe they can afford to obtain substance abuse treatment.

The report estimates that about 6 million persons with illicit drug dependence or abuse in 2002 did not seek specialty treatment for their illicit drug use. An estimated 17 million persons in 2002 with alcohol dependence or abuse did not receive specialty treatment. Only 6 percent of those with untreated illicit drug problems and 4.5 percent of those with untreated alcohol problems perceived a need for treatment.

Of the 362,000 untreated persons who recognized the need for treatment for their drug problems, 39 percent indicated that they were not ready to stop using illicit drugs, and 37 percent perceived the cost of obtaining treatment as too high. Of the 761,000 untreated persons who recognized in the past year that they needed treatment for alcohol problems, 49 percent indicated they were not ready to stop their alcohol use and 40 percent said that cost was a factor in their not receiving treatment.

"It is tragic that a major reason people continue to abuse illicit drugs and alcohol is that they do not believe they can afford appropriate treatment," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W. "President George W. Bush has proposed
a 3-year ‘Access to Recovery' program to provide $200 million more each year for substance abuse treatment. This program would provide someone in need of substance abuse treatment with a voucher to pay for the services. We really need this program if we are to provide treatment to the large numbers who say they cannot afford it."

Reasons for Not Receiving Substance Abuse Treatment is based on interviews with 68,126 respondents in their homes. This NSDUH report is available online at www.oas.samhsa.gov.