Defining The Problem
Addiction, trauma, and mental health issues impact many of us personally, but they also take a toll on society as a whole. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, alcohol and drug misuse and related disorders are major public health challenges. In a recent study, more than 27 million people in the US reported using illicit drugs or misusing prescription drugs in the past month, and nearly a quarter of adults and adolescents reported binge drinking in that same period. At the same time, 70% of American adults report having experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. There’s an economic burden to consider as well, with addiction costing the US $249 billion each year.