How Much Do You Know About Substance Use Disorder?

Quiz May 11, 2020

Substance misuse is a complex, multifaceted public health problem that affects individuals, families, and communities throughout the United States. The associated issues can often worsen during times of great uncertainty and upheaval. Many people with opioid use disorder, for example, may face difficulties coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, a reality that can lead to more opioid cravings and increased risk for relapse.

Americans can help counteract the risk and harms associated with substance misuse and substance use disorders (SUDs) by understanding how addiction can occur and by promoting effective treatment and prevention strategies in their communities.

National Prevention Week, launched in 2012 by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to promote substance misuse prevention and education, takes place May 10-16 this year. Answer these eight questions to test your knowledge on this serious issue.

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If you think you or someone you know may have a substance use disorder, you can call SAMHSA’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Learn more about Pew’s substance use prevention and treatment initiative.

# wrong text: Sorry, that's incorrect. # right text: That's correct! # social text incomplete: How much do you know about substance use disorder? Try it yourself and see how much you know. # social text complete: I took the substance use disorder quiz and answered {score} out of {total_questions} correctly. Try it yourself and see how much you know. ? How many people ages 12 or older used illicit drugs in 2018? - 1 in 25 - 1 in 15 - 1 in 10 + 1 in 5 ! Almost 1 in 5 people ages 12 or older said they had used a drug deemed illicit by the federal government in 2018, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). This estimate of illicit drug use reflects data from several drug categories, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, methamphetamine, and the misuse of prescription stimulants, tranquilizers, sedatives, or pain relievers. ? The risk of substance use disorders increases for individuals who experience a decrease in income during economic recessions. + True - False ! The economic impact of the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus—sharp increases in unemployment and reductions in household income—has led to concerns about how these factors may affect mental health and substance use disorders.

A reduction in household income during economic recession has been associated with an increased risk for substance use disorders. ? Which of the following risk factors can increase an adolescent or young adult’s likelihood to initiate substance use? - Peer substance use - Genetic predictors - Family conflict + All of the above ! Various individual, family, and community risk factors can increase the likelihood of beginning substance use during adolescence and young adulthood. This can include peer substance use, genetic predictors, and family conflict. ? Which substance deemed illicit by the federal government had the highest number of new users in 2018? + Marijuana - Misuse of prescription pain relievers - Heroin - Methamphetamine ! In 2018, there were 3.1 million new marijuana users—representing the largest number of new users among all illicit drugs at the federal level. That includes misuse of prescription pain relievers (1.9 million new users), methamphetamine (205,000 new users), and heroin (117,000 new users). ? Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder that involves long-lasting changes in the brain. + True - False ! Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive substance-seeking behavior that continues despite harmful consequences and long-lasting changes in the brain.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines 11 criteria of substance use disorders. Meeting six or more suggests a person is experiencing a severe substance use disorder or addiction. ? How much do substance misuse and substance use disorders cost the U.S. annually? + $400 billion - $200 billion - $50 billion - $10 billion ! According to a 2016 report by the U.S. Surgeon General, substance misuse and substance use disorders cost the nation more than $400 billion annually in criminal justice involvement, health care services, and lost economic productivity. ? Which of the following prevention strategies has shown to help people who engage in heavy or chronic substance misuse? - Prescription drug monitoring programs - Naloxone (opioid reversal medication) - Referral to treatment for substance use disorder + All of the above ! Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), naloxone, and referral to treatment for substance use disorder are all prevention strategies used for individuals who engage in heavy or chronic substance misuse. PDMPs are statewide electronic databases that gather controlled substance prescription data; naloxone is an FDA-approved opiate antagonist that reverses opioid overdose and prevents death; and a successful referral to treatment occurs once an individual accepts the presence of a substance use problem and the need for treatment. ? A common reason for not receiving substance use treatment among people who need it is feeling that getting treatment might have a negative effect on their jobs. + True - False ! In 2018, common reasons for not receiving substance use treatment among those who perceived a need for treatment, but did not receive it, were not being ready to stop using, having no health care coverage and not being able to afford the cost of treatment, feeling that getting treatment might have a negative effect on their job, feeling that getting treatment would cause their neighbors or community to have a negative opinion of them, and not knowing where to go to get treatment.