SAMHSA reports on behavioral health, treatment trends

About 12.5 million U.S. residents reported misusing prescription pain relievers in 2015, according to a report released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. More than half of them obtained their most recently misused pain reliever from a friend or relative, notes the report, which summarizes data on substance use, depression, serious mental illness and related treatment from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. The number of people receiving buprenorphine to treat opioid use more than doubled between 2013 and 2015 to nearly 76,000. Among other findings, an estimated 13% of youth aged 12-17 experienced a major depressive episode in 2015, including one in five girls. “This analysis can help public health authorities and others determine the best ways of meeting behavioral health care needs and disparities among various communities,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Kana Enomoto.