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Research reveals how addiction impacts Americans

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Close-up of a devastated young man holding his head in his hands and friends supporting him during group therapy
(Ground Picture via Shutterstock)

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

THREE QUARTERS OF AMERICANS HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY ADDICTION IN SOME WAY, NEW RESEARCH SHOWS.

IN A SURVEY OF 2,000 RESPONDENTS, AT LEAST 73% REPORTED HAVING A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO SUBSTANCE ADDICTION – MOST COMMONLY AMONG THEIR FRIENDS (56%), FAMILY MEMBERS (56%) AND ACQUAINTANCES (48%). 

CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF LANDMARK RECOVERY, THE STUDY ALSO SHOWS 69% BELIEVE THEY’VE BECOME MORE SYMPATHETIC TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM DRUG ADDICTION IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

THREE QUARTERS (76%) AGREE THAT STIGMATIZING PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE ULTIMATELY DOES MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

BUT DESPITE THOSE FINDINGS, HALF (49%) STILL BELIEVE THAT DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION ARE A “CHOICE” RATHER THAN A DISEASE (36%).

BIGGEST BARRIERS TO ADDICTION TREATMENT

  • Cost/affordability - 29%
  • Denial - 28%
  • Lack of willpower - 27%
  • Accessibility of substances - 22%
  • Admission difficulty - 22%
  • Lack of health care coverage - 21%
  • Low availability of treatment - 20%
  • Medical conditions - 18%
  • Public Perception - 18%
  • Fear of treatment - 22%

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Landmark Recovery between November 4 and November 8, 2022. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

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