Substance abuse and rehabilitation: responding to the global burden of diseases attributable to substance abuse

Abstract

Alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use are pervasive throughout the world. Substance use problems are among the major contributors to the global disease burden, which includes disability and mortality. The benefits of treatment far outweigh the economic costs. Despite the availability of treatment services, however, the vast majority of people with substance use disorders do not seek or use treatment. Barriers to and unmet need for evidence-based treatment are widespread even in the United States. Women, adolescents, and young adults are especially vulnerable to adverse effects from substance abuse, but they face additional barriers to getting evidence-based treatment or other social/medical services. Substance use behaviors and the diseases attributable to substance use problems are preventable and modifiable. Yet the ever-changing patterns of substance use and associated problems require combined research and policy-making efforts from all parts of the world to establish a viable knowledge base to inform for prevention, risk-reduction intervention, effective use of evidence-based treatment, and rehabilitation for long-term recovery. The new international, open-access, peer-reviewed Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation (SAR) journal strives to provide an effective platform for sharing ideas for solutions and disseminating research findings globally. Substance use behaviors and problems have no boundaries. The journal welcomes papers from all regions of the world that address any aspect of substance use, abuse/dependence, intervention, treatment, and policy. The "open-access" journal makes cutting edge knowledge freely available to practitioners and researchers worldwide, and this is particularly important for addressing the global disease burden attributable to substance abuse.

Figure 1

Main problem drugs as reflected in treatment demand, by region, from the late 1990s to 2008 (or latest year available). Data from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2010), Annual Reports Questionnaire Data/DELTA and National Government Reports. Percentages are unweighted means of treatment demand from reporting countries. Number of countries reporting data for 2008: Europe (45); Africa (26); North America (3); South America (24); Asia (42); Oceania (2). Data generally account for primary drug use; polydrug use may increase totals beyond 100%. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Notes: *Treatment data dating back more than 10 years were removed from the 2008 estimates, and therefore caution should be used when comparing the data from 2008 with previous years.

Figure 2

Regional breakdown of global amphetamine seizures, 2000–2008 (ton equivalents). Data from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2010).