The fact is that drug and alcohol use remains high in our society. As a result, substance misuse—or addiction—also remains high. As a society, there are many things we can do to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. This is the reason that the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) established National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW). The weeklong event offers the opportunity for anyone to participate in raising awareness and contributing to positive change. Many people may think that substance abuse treatment programs are not accessible when, in reality, there are many programs available, and help is available to anyone seeking it.
What Is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week?
NDAFW has been happening since 2010 when NIDA scientists first launched the awareness event. It happens each year, and in 2016, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) became a partner to further strengthen the support behind it. The event focuses on providing education on drug and alcohol use and learning more about addiction and its effects. This year, NDAFW happens the week of March 17th – 23rd, 2025. Any person or organization can contribute and participate in the event. There are even suggested activities and awareness materials provided by NIDA that can be used by all who choose to.
Facts About Drugs and Alcohol Use
If you live in the United States, you are most likely aware of how common alcohol and drug use is, especially with the legalization of recreational marijuana use in many states. Unfortunately, these substances can also be highly addictive. Once addiction sets in, stopping the use of the substance becomes very difficult. Some even use the substances as a way to “self-medicate” and deal with a co-occurring trauma or mental health disorder.
Additional facts about drug and alcohol use include:
- Alcohol is the third leading cause of death in the United States
- Opioids account for a large percentage of those with a substance use disorder
- The most common addictions are marijuana and prescription drug stimulants
- Addiction costs hundreds of billions of dollars each year
- The United States alone makes up 80% of prescription drug use around the world
Using drugs and alcohol to address other ailments is not new. In fact, heroin was once legal in our country and, in the 1890s, was thought to be an effective cough medicine. Today, when people use drugs or alcohol to numb the pain of another condition, it is treated as a co-occurring disorder as part of dual diagnosis treatment.
Spreading Awareness on National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
Spreading the word about NDAFW is easy, and there are plenty of ways to do it. In fact, the NIDA website lists several suggested ways.
- Do some research on the internet to learn more about the devastating effects that drug and alcohol misuse can have on the user and those who care about them.
- Share your own story about addiction on social media using the hashtag #NDAFW.
- Volunteer at an NDAFW event near you or host your own event.
Whatever way you choose to spread awareness, know that every effort helps. Your contribution brings more awareness to more people with the hope of reducing substance abuse long term.
Enroll in the Substance Abuse Treatment Programs at Santé Center for Healing Today
Santé Center for Healing offers the opportunity for the entire family to learn more about addiction as part of group and family therapy programming. There are many misconceptions about addiction, and having a better understanding of the disease will allow families to better support a loved one who is struggling with addiction and going through the treatment process. The therapeutic team at Santé Center for Healing is committed to healing each individual through a fully customized treatment plan designed for the person’s unique needs.
Call the treatment team today at 866.238.3154 or use the online form to learn more about addiction and your treatment options.
