Addiction is affecting the family relationships, mental health and finances of most adults in the U.S., according to a new KFF poll. The findings are the latest to reveal how the worsening substance use crisis is weighing on people’s lives, regardless of whether they’re personally experiencing addiction.
More than a quarter (27%) of respondents who have had a relative with an alcohol or drug addiction, but have not experienced addiction themselves, say their mental health was significantly altered as a result.
The health tracking poll — published Tuesday and conducted in mid-July — found 66% of American adults have a personal or familial experience with alcohol or drug addiction. That includes homelessness due to addiction or a drug overdose that resulted in an emergency room visit, hospitalization or death.
The connection to addiction, however, was more likely to be through a family member than personal.
Half (51%) of adults are also worried that someone in their family will experience substance use disorder or addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Nearly one-third (32%) are concerned that someone in their family will overdose on opioids, and about 40% are concerned about a family member unintentionally consuming fentanyl. About 3 in 10 (29%) say they or someone in their family has been addicted to opioids, including prescription pain killers and illegal substances like heroin. It most commonly affects rural residents and white adults.
Less than half (46%) of those saying they or a family member experienced addiction to prescription pain killers, alcohol, or any illegal drug report they got treatment.
That tracks with past evidence that treatment is not always reaching those who need it.