Substance use and use disorders and treatment receipt among adults in families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), 2003–2014

Abstract

Background/purposeLegalization of marijuana for medical and/or recreational use in some U.S. states has increased attention to substance use and related problems. However, little attention has been paid to these phenomena among adults in families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) whose adverse life experiences may put them at elevated risk of substance use disorders (SUDs). MethodsData from the 2003–2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were used to test trends in past-month binge drinking and past-year marijuana, other illicit drug, and any illicit drug use and to examine SUD prevalence and treatment correlates among adults in TANF families. ResultsWhile rates of binge drinking and any illicit drug use remained steady, marijuana use increased from 15.8% in 2003/2004 to 21.6% in 2013/2014, a 36.7% increase. Increased marijuana use was strongly related to changes in marijuana risk perception. Among adults in TANF families, 19.5% of men and 10.8% of women had a past-year SUD, but only one in five received treatment. Those aged 18–25, Black or Hispanic women, and those who had children at home when surveyed were less likely to have received treatment. DiscussionPreventive efforts to address substance use, especially marijuana use, among adults in TANF families are needed. Moreover, given greater odds of unmet SUD treatment need among these economically disadvantaged adults, particularly racial/ethnic minority women and those who are in emerging adulthood, uninsured, and have children at home, measures to provide more inclusive services such as integrated behavioral health care are needed.