Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorder (SUD) occurs when the use of alcohol and/or drugs causes significant impairment, health problems, disability and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school or home.

According to the American Psychological Association, the ongoing stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increase in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and the misuse of substances – especially alcohol, opioids and stimulants. Roughly 13% of Americans reported starting or increasing substance use as a way to cope with stress or emotions related to the pandemic.

Overdoses have also spiked. The early months of the pandemic brought an 18% increase nationwide in overdoses. According to the American Medical Association, more than 40 U.S. states have seen increases in opioid-related mortality, along with ongoing concerns for those with substance use disorders.

These trends are also captured by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. Key findings include:

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse, alcoholism and alcohol use disorder (AUD) kill over 3 million people each year, accounting for up to 6% of global deaths.

  • 140,557 Americans die from the effects of alcohol in an average year.
  • 1-in-10 Americans over the age of 12 have AUD.

  • 60% of Americans increased their alcohol consumption during COVID-19 lockdowns.

  • 140,557 Americans die from the effects of alcohol in an average year.
  • 1-in-10 Americans over the age of 12 have AUD.

  • 60% of Americans increased their alcohol consumption during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is insidious and widely misunderstood. Young adults are the heaviest users, but older and elderly patients are at heightened risk of misuse and addiction.

  • 6% of Americans over the age of 12 abuse prescriptions in a year.

  • 12% of prescription drug abusers are addicted.

  • 4 out of 5 pharmacy-filled prescriptions are opioids.

  • 6% of Americans over the age of 12 abuse prescriptions in a year.

  • 12% of prescription drug abusers are addicted.

  • 4 out of 5 pharmacy-filled prescriptions are opioids.

Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic is considered a public health emergency, with 136 deaths per day and climbing.

  • 50,000 people die every year from opioid overdose.
  • 10 million people misuse opioids in a year.

  • Opioids are a factor in at least 7 of every 10 overdose deaths.

  • 50,000 people die every year from opioid overdose.
  • 10 million people misuse opioids in a year.

  • Opioids are a factor in at least 7 of every 10 overdose deaths.

Facilitating Alcohol Screening & Treatment

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is funding efforts to increase participation in the quality improvement initiative Facilitating Alcohol Screening & Treatment – a nine-month program, with six months of practice facilitation, for primary care practices to address unhealthy alcohol use. In partnership with the University of Colorado, Contexture is pleased to offer primary care practices in Arizona and Colorado the opportunity to join the FAST program.

What practices receive:

  • Training for staff, medical providers and behavioral health professionals on Screening, Brief Intervention, Medication Assisted Treatment and, when necessary, Referral to Treatment for alcohol use.

  • Evidence-based interventions to help patients with unhealthy alcohol use.

  • Support of a highly trained practice facilitator.

  • Assistance with tracking your patients with an alcohol use disorder.
  • Access to experts in medical and behavioral treatments for alcohol use disorder
  • Potential alignment with other projects.

  • Peer-to-peer support for medication assisted treatment will be available for all clinicians.

  • $1,000 for practice time spent in completing assessments, providing data and any other research-related activities.
  • Training for staff, medical providers and behavioral health professionals on Screening, Brief Intervention, Medication Assisted Treatment and, when necessary, Referral to Treatment for alcohol use.

  • Evidence-based interventions to help patients with unhealthy alcohol use.

  • Support of a highly trained practice facilitator.

  • Assistance with tracking your patients with an alcohol use disorder.
  • Access to experts in medical and behavioral treatments for alcohol use disorder
  • Potential alignment with other projects.

  • Peer-to-peer support for medication assisted treatment will be available for all clinicians.

  • $1,000 for practice time spent in completing assessments, providing data and any other research-related activities.

Enroll today

Visit practiceinnovationco.org/alcohol to learn more, enroll and select Contexture (CORHIO) as your preferred Practice Transformation Organization (PTO.)

(When you select the FAST program at the top, after completing your contact information, you’ll be asked to select your preferred PTO.)

Battling the Opioid Epidemic

The Arizona HIE successfully launched and completed the statewide campaign, Click for Control, an initiative designed to support the electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS) requirement in Arizona (applied to any prescription of a Schedule II controlled substance considered an opioid). The goals of the campaign were to increase EPCS in Arizona and prepare Arizona prescribers for the new state requirements mandated by the Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act.

The campaign was successful due to a collaborative, two-fold approach focused on targeted education for providers and lobbying for several key policy changes, including:

  • House Bill 2369, which included statutory language to allow for EPCS in Arizona.
  • The Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act, Senate Bill 1001, which included a provision requiring each prescription for a Schedule II opioid to be transmitted electronically to the dispensing pharmacy.

  • This legislation was amended by House Bill 2075, signed by Gov. Ducey on Feb. 14, 2019, that set a deadline of Jan. 1, 2020, for all Arizona prescribers.

  • House Bill 2369, which included statutory language to allow for EPCS in Arizona.
  • The Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act, Senate Bill 1001, which included a provision requiring each prescription for a Schedule II opioid to be transmitted electronically to the dispensing pharmacy.

  • This legislation was amended by House Bill 2075, signed by Gov. Ducey on Feb. 14, 2019, that set a deadline of Jan. 1, 2020, for all Arizona prescribers.

Related Links:

Arizona Town Hall Report: Mental Health, Substance Use, and Homelessness, “Creating Connections, Improving Lives: Health Information Exchange in Arizona,” by Melissa Kotrys, MPH, CEO, Contexture, page 91.