Addiction affect the health and well-being of millions of people around the world. According to the World Drug Report (2021), 36.3 million people (or 5.5% of the global population aged 15-64) suffer from drug use disorders, which are conditions that cause health, social, or legal problems due to drug use1. Drug use disorders include dependence or addiction, which is a chronic and relapsing brain disease that makes a person unable to stop using drugs despite harmful consequences. Opioids are problematic drugs particularly in North America, accounting for two-thirds of the deaths and more than half of the disease burden attributed to drug use2.

According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is another even more widespread drug, with 2.3 billion people (or 31% of the global population aged 15 and older) being current drinkers, which means they have consumed alcohol at least once in the past year3. Among them, 283 million people (or 3.8% of the global population aged 15 and older) have an alcohol use disorder, which is a condition that causes health, social, or legal problems due to alcohol use3. Alcohol use disorder includes dependence or addiction, which is a chronic and relapsing brain disease that makes a person unable to stop drinking despite harmful consequences. Alcohol is responsible for more than 5% of all deaths and more than 4% of all disease burden worldwide3.

According to one estimate, an average of five people are affected by one person’s addiction. This includes family members, friends, co-workers, or neighbors who may experience emotional, financial, or social distress due to the person’s addiction. Therefore, the total number of people affected by addiction globally can range from hundreds of millions to over a billion, depending on the number of people with addiction and the number of people they affect.

Addiction prevention aims to reduce the risk factors and enhance the protective factors that influence drug use and addiction1. Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the likelihood of developing an addiction, such as genetic vulnerability, early exposure to drugs, stress, trauma, peer pressure, or lack of parental supervision1. Protective factors are characteristics or conditions that decrease the likelihood of developing an addiction, such as positive family and social support, academic achievement, involvement in healthy activities, or access to prevention programs1.

Strategies for addiction prevention are:

• Educating people about the harmful effects of drugs and the risk factors for addiction.

• Promoting healthy coping skills, self-esteem, and resilience among individuals and communities.

• Providing alternative activities and opportunities for youth and adults that do not involve drug use.

• Screening and intervening early for people who show signs of drug misuse or are at high risk of addiction.

• Regulating the availability and accessibility of drugs through laws, policies, and enforcement.

Addiction treatment aims to help people stop using drugs, stay drug-free, and resume productive lives1. Addiction treatment options include rehab, therapy, detox, and medication. Treatment should be tailored to address each patient’s drug use patterns and drug-related medical, mental, and social problems1.

Methods used to treat addiction are:

• Medication-based treatment, which uses medicines to reduce withdrawal symptoms, cravings, or the effects of drugs. Medication is the first line of treatment for opioid addiction, usually combined with some form of behavioral therapy or counseling. Medications are also available to help treat addiction to alcohol and nicotine31.

• Behavioral therapy and counseling, which help patients modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug use, increase their motivation to change, cope with stress and triggers, prevent relapse, and enhance their life skills. Behavioral therapies can be delivered individually or in groups, by professionals or peers312.

• Medical devices, which stimulate or block certain areas of the brain or nervous system that are involved in addiction. For example, a device called NSS-2 Bridge can reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms by sending electrical pulses to cranial nerves. Another device called Probuphine can deliver a steady dose of buprenorphine (a medication for opioid addiction) through a small implant under the skin31.

• Detoxification, which is the process of clearing drugs from the body while managing withdrawal symptoms. Detoxification alone without subsequent treatment generally leads to resumption of drug use. Detoxification can be done in inpatient or outpatient settings, with or without medication assistance32.

References

1. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/WDR.html

2. National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/

3. World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/health-topics/alcohol

4. Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243

5. Addiction Group: https://www.addictiongroup.org/addiction/statistics/

Disability is when a person experiences a physical or mental condition that limits his or her movements, senses, or activities. According to the ICF, there are three main categories of disability:

• Impairments: problems in body function or structure, such as loss of a limb, loss of vision or memory loss.

• Activity limitations: difficulties in executing activities, such as seeing, hearing, walking, or problem solving.

• Participation restrictions: problems with involvement in life situations, such as working, engaging in social and recreational activities, and obtaining health care and preventive services.

Disability results from the interaction between individuals who have a health condition, such as for example cerebral palsy, down syndrome, blindness, or loss of limbs, with personal and environmental factors including negative attitudes, inaccessible transportation and public buildings, and limited social support. Disability is part of the human condition. Almost everyone will temporarily or permanently experience disability at some point in their life. An estimated 1.3 billion people – about 16% of the global population – currently experience significant disability. This number is increasing due in part to population ageing and an increase in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases.

Disability can be mitigated by addressing barriers that hinder the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society on an equal basis with others. Some of these barriers are:

• Attitudinal barriers: such as stigma, discrimination, and prejudice against persons with disabilities.

• Environmental barriers: such as inaccessible buildings, public spaces, transportation, and information and communication technologies.

• Institutional barriers: such as policies, laws, regulations, and practices that exclude or limit the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities.

• Economic barriers: such as poverty, lack of employment, education, health care, and social protection for persons with disabilities.

To mitigate these barriers, some of the actions that can be taken are:

• Promoting awareness and respect for the dignity, diversity, and rights of persons with disabilities.

• Ensuring accessibility of physical environments, transportation, information and communication technologies, and services for persons with disabilities.

• Strengthening legal frameworks that protect and promote the human rights of persons with disabilities and ensure their equal access to justice.

• Enhancing social inclusion of persons with disabilities by providing them with opportunities for education, employment, health care, social protection, and participation in decision-making processes.

• Supporting empowerment of persons with disabilities by enabling them to express their views, choices, and preferences, and to exercise control over their lives.

• Fostering cooperation among different stakeholders, such as governments, civil society organizations, private sector, academia, media, and persons with disabilities themselves.

To find out how more about disability, you can visit the following websites:

• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/health-topics/disability

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability.html

• United Nations: https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/