On NPR’s Morning Edition Nov 17th some highlights from Steve Inskeep’s interview with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy are shared on the prevalence of substance abuse in the United States and what we can do to curb the addiction epidemic.
In 1964, the U.S. surgeon general released a report on the health impacts of smoking, and it shaped the public and government’s attitudes toward tobacco for years to come. On Thursday, another surgeon general’s report was issued, this time tackling a much broader issue: addiction and the misuse and abuse of chemical substances. The focus isn’t just one drug, but all of them.
Though little in the report is new, it puts impressive numbers to the problem, and some surprising context: More people use prescription opioids than use tobacco. There are more people with substance abuse disorders than people with cancer. One in five Americans binge drink. And substance abuse disorders cost the U.S. more than $420 billion a year.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, who is closing in on his second year as surgeon general, told NPR’s Steve Inskeep Thursday on Morning Edition that he hopes putting all the data together will help Americans understand that these problems share a common solution. And it starts with kids. Their conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Read More
The addiction epidemic is a real American problem. We can be part of the solution.
This report calls for Americans to fight the epidemic of addiction to drugs and alcohol. It offers tools and a vision for the future to help prevent and manage addiction. The accompanying website includes:
- A spotlight on opioids that offers information to the public and family members of people at higher risk of opioid overdose, opioid misuse, or opioid use disorder
- Federal resources to help fight the opioid crisis
- Additional resources that outline the report’s key messages and highlight findings and recommendations for key audiences
Professional Coaches who specialize in addiction recovery can prevent abuse and enhance recovery. We can be part of the solution by empowering our clients to face the challenges of finding and keeping their sobriety and discovering their unique strengths that will help them create the life they truly desire.
