America's Substance Abuse Problem and the Opioid Epidemic

For as long as there have been substances that alter the mood, mind, and body, there have been those who abuse them. Over 20 million Americans fall into this category and about 200,000 people die annually as a result of ongoing substance abuse. For every fatal overdose, there are countless additional non-fatal overdoses and many of them have tragic consequences. The ongoing abuse of alcohol, cocaine, benzodiazepines, methamphetamines, and opioids continues to plague our nation. Dr. Cole discusses the biological, psychological, and social contributors to this extensive problem and elaborates on how healthcare agencies are working to combat the issue.