Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap Polling Results

A study released on June 16th examines attitudes toward the accessibility and affordability of alcohol and drug addiction treatment to the many Americans who need these services, including veterans. The poll shows that Americans of all walks of life are personally touched by addiction and half of them say they could not afford treatment if they or a family member needed it. They are also concerned that people addicted to alcohol or drugs may not be able to get treatment because of cost or lack of insurance coverage – a concern likely heightened by the current economic recession. For these reasons, most Americans support including access to affordable addiction treatment as part of national healthcare reform.

 

Polling Result data from Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap (CATG) initiative (http://www.treatmentgap.org/):


76%

Three-quarters of Americans (76%) know someone personally who has been addicted to alcohol or drugs. Personal experience with addiction spans all demographic groups.

49%

Half of Americans (49%) do not think they would be able to afford the costs of treatment if they or a family member needed it. This concern about affordability is highest among Americans with incomes under $50,000 (67% say they would not be able to afford treatment).

75%

Three-quarters (75%) of Americans are concerned that people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs may not be able to get treatment because they lack insurance coverage or cannot afford it.

73%

Nearly three-quarters (73%) support including alcohol and drug addiction treatment as part of national health care reform to make it more accessible and affordable. This support cuts across all demographic groups.

68%

Two-thirds of Americans (68%) also support increasing federal and state funding for alcohol and drug prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

96%

Finally, more than nine in ten (96%) support providing specialized prevention, treatment, and recovery support to veterans and military returning from active duty (78% strongly support this effort).