Americans Support Expanded Addiction Treatment

AUSTIN, Texas — With less than one year until the 2016 presidential election and as America’s addiction epidemic receives increasing attention from citizens and policymakers, 73{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of American voters favor a presidential candidate willing to expand access to addiction treatment and recovery services. This is a key finding of the 2015 National Addiction and Recovery Survey commissioned by MAP Health Management, LLC and conducted by national survey research firm the Mellman Group.
The survey of 1,007 American adults measured the prevalence of substance abuse in the U.S. and the opinions of Americans about addiction. The study shows that 86{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of Democrats, 62{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of Republicans, and 67{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of independents are more likely to support a presidential candidate who will expand treatment and recovery services.
Among other findings, the survey reports that 72{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of Americans believe that substance abuse is a chronic disease that should be treated as a health condition, far outnumbering the 22{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} who think substance abuse is a behavioral issue that should be treated by criminal punishment. This belief is strongest among the one in five Americans who have been personally touched by the disease.
The survey also confirms that 70{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of Americans favor requiring addiction-treatment facilities to demonstrate a science-based approach and an outcomes-based track record in order to receive government reimbursement for services. And most believe a facility’s track record of long-term success in treating substance-abuse patients is the most important factor in selecting a treatment facility, among a list of seven factors.
“The survey results reveal that voters want a leader who will create solutions to address the addiction crisis that is costing our nation $650 billion and 125,000 American lives annually. Americans recognize addiction is a chronic disease, and they support policies to ensure they receive the high-quality, outcomes-based treatment they deserve,” said Jacob Levenson, CEO of MAP Health Management. “Too many addiction treatment providers are using unproven, non-scientific approaches to care that provide little to no follow-up once a client leaves their facility. It is clear that our country needs to expand access to recovery programs and improve measurable outcomes if we are to successfully treat this disease.”