Trends In The Use Of Treatment For Substance Use Disorders, 2010-19

Abstract

Rapidly rising drug overdose rates in the United States during the past decade underscore the need to increase access to treatment among people with substance use disorders (SUDs). We analyzed trends in the use of treatment services among people with SUDs during the period 2010-19, using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Compared with 2013, outpatient visits for general health in the prior year increased 3.6 percentage points by the 2017-19 period. Use of any SUD treatment in the prior year remained unchanged, but treatment use among people involved in the criminal legal system increased by about 6.2 percentage points by the end of the study period. Among those receiving SUD treatment, there was a 14.9-percentage-point increase in having treatment paid for by Medicaid between 2010-13 and 2017-19. Although access to general medical care and insurance coverage have improved for people with SUD, our study findings underscore the importance of renewed efforts to increase the use of SUD treatment.

Exhibit 1

Visits to a doctor’s office or clinic for any reason among people with substance use disorder (SUD) in the prior year, 2013–19 Source/Notes: SOURCE Authors’ analysis of data from the 2013–19 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. NOTES Predicted margins are displayed that adjust for sex, age, education, employment status, general health status, and type of drug use. Estimates are weighted to be nationally representative. The sample is restricted to adults meeting screening criteria for a substance use disorder. “2013” is the reference group (measure was not collected in 2010–12). CL is criminal legal system. FPL is federal poverty level. NH is non-Hispanic. **p < 0.05 ***p < 0.01

Exhibit 2

Use of any substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in the prior year, 2010–19 Source/Notes: SOURCE Authors’ analysis of data from the 2010–19 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. NOTES Predicted margins are displayed that adjust for sex, age, education, employment status, general health status, and type of drug use. Estimates are weighted to be nationally representative. The sample is restricted to adults meeting screening criteria for a substance use disorder. “2010–13” is the reference group. CL is criminal legal system. FPL is federal poverty level. NH is non-Hispanic. **p < 0.05 ***p < 0.01

Exhibit 3

Setting for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment received in the prior year, 2010–19 Source/Notes: SOURCE Authors’ analysis of data from the 2010–19 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. NOTES Predicted margins are displayed that adjust for sex, race and ethnicity, age, education, employment status, general health status, income, and type of drug use. Estimates are weighted to be nationally representative. The sample is restricted to adults meeting screening criteria for a substance use disorder. “2010–13” is the reference group. People could report receiving treatment in more than one setting. ED is emergency department. **p < 0.05 ***p < 0.01

Exhibit 4

Source of payment for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment received in the prior year, 2010–19 Source/Notes: SOURCE Authors’ analysis of data from the 2010–19 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. NOTES Predicted margins are displayed that adjust for sex, race and ethnicity, age, education, employment status, general health status, income, and type of drug use. Estimates are weighted to be nationally representative. The sample is restricted to adults meeting screening criteria for a substance use disorder. “2010–13” is the reference group. Sources of payment reflect any payers that were provided for the most recent treatment episode (multiple sources could be listed). **p < 0.05 ***p < 0.01