Spotlight on Substance Abuse Awareness: October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

Millions of Americans suffer from substance abuse, which includes underage drinking, alcohol dependency, non-medical use of prescription drugs, abuse of over-the-counter medications, and illicit drug use. Since 2011, October has been recognized as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in the United States.

In 2020, more than 93,000 Americans died of a drug overdose, up. Nearly 30% from 2019. This year alone, more than 20 million Americans ages 12 and older have been diagnosed with substance abuse disorders. That number—along with associated deaths—is steadily increasing.