Substance Abuse Nursing: An Introduction

One of the biggest issues in the United States is substance abuse. It affects families across the country. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that illicit drug use accounted for $193 billion in overall healthcare costs in 2007, while prescription opioid use accounted for $78.5 billion in overall healthcare costs in 2013. Trends show increasing opioid and heroin addiction in the U.S.

Nurses play a vital role in combating this epidemic. Dedicated to helping, nurses educate and inform us about the damages of drug abuse and how to prevent and treat addiction. To learn more about the role nurses play in fighting substance abuse, check out this infographic created by Duquesne University’s Online Master of Science in Nursing program.

Original infographic provide by Duquesne University Online Forensic Nursing Program.