Friday, June 28, 2019

Pain in the Nation Issue Brief: Alcohol and Drug Misuse and Suicide and the Millennial Generation — a Devastating Impact


Pain in the Nation Issue Brief:
Alcohol and Drug Misuse and Suicide and the Millennial Generation — a Devastating Impact
This issue brief, focused on the Millennial Generation, is a continuation of Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and Well Being Trust’sPain in the Nation: The Drug, Alcohol and Suicide Crises series. The Pain in the Nation series helps inform and create a comprehensive National Resilience Strategy.
 
This brief is focused on Millennials for numerous reasons: Millennials are dying due to alcohol and drug misuse and suicide in record numbers. Millennials are more than one-third of the workforce, they are the largest proportion of Americans serving in the military. About a quarter lack health insurance, many are burden by education debt, and, many are or will be parents responsible for the well-being of young children.
Key Findings: 2007–2017, 1834 Year Olds
  • 108 percent increase in drug related deaths
  • 69 percent increase in alcohol induced deaths
  • 35 percent increase in suicide deaths
Key Recommendations:
  • Assure patient access to evidence-based prevention, screening and treatment. Care must be culturally informed, medication-based substance misuse treatments should be available and covered by insurance.
  • Use pricing strategies to limit consumption of alcohol by adolescents and young adults.
  • Prioritize the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act to support prevention services for families in crisis and reduce foster care placements.
  • Invest more in research on and education about non-opioid and non-drug pain treatments.
  • Provide evidence-based substance misuse treatment within the criminal justice system and ensure that treatment continues and that employment opportunities exist after release.
  • Create substance misuse and suicide prevention programs that address the crisis in multiple settings and in novel ways, including by meeting young adults where they are.
  • Use telehealth to provide treatment in underserved areas.
  • Hospitals and birthing centers should screen new mothers for substance misuse disorders at delivery.
  • Transition programs for veterans returning to civilian life should be readily available.
TFAH's media contact: Rhea Farberman, 202-864-5941, RFarberman@TFAH.org

CONTACT
TRUST FOR AMERICA'S HEALTH
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