By Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer, OPEN MINDS
February 1, 2025

The prevalence of addiction disorders in the U.S. population doubled between 2013 and 2023, rising from 8.2% in 2013 to 17.1% in 2023. But, the percentage of the population with an addiction disorder who received treatment decreased from 9.3% in 2013 to 6.5% in 2023. It’s a gap that is a problem for the U.S. health and human service system on many levels.

The prevalence statistics are stark. Alcohol may be the dominant addiction in the U.S. But it is the addiction to other drugs that is on the rise. The prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) increased from 6.6% to 10.2% during the decade. Drug use disorder (DUD) grew from 2.6% to 9.6%—and the prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) more than doubled from 0.8% in 2016 to 2.0% in 2023.

And the health and human service system has not been successful in getting consumers with addictive disorders into treatment. The percentage of the population with an addiction disorder who received treatment was 6.5% in 2022. The proportion of the population with AUD who received treatment was 7.6%. The population with DUD who received treatment was 13.1%. And the proportion of the population with OUD who received treatment was 18.3%.

The reasons for the disconnect between an addictive disorder and treatment are many. In this study, key reasons cited include hesitation to stop using substances, inadequate health insurance, lack of knowledge about treatment options, and concerns about how obtaining treatment would affect jobs and community views. Other reasons include proximity to treatments, preconceived notions or beliefs, and financial barriers.

For health and human service executives—whether in health plans or provider organizations—the organization that has better performance getting consumers with addictions into treatment and supporting their recovery will be the organization that succeeds.