In Case You Haven't Heard…

The thousands of federal workers laid off since President Trump took office in January, including many from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), may be at heightened risk for substance misuse and addiction, according to research. A study found higher prevalence rates of substance use disorders (SUDs) amond the unemployed. Of course, SUD itself is a risk of unemployment, creating a vicious cycle. We hear that there are many support groups for workers who lost their jobs as a result of DOGE “efficiency,” which is a good thing, and presumably, those who worked in the health arena also have greater awareness of their vulnerability and the need for early integration. We wish them all the best. The study, “Unemployment and Substance Use: An Updated Review of Studies from North America and Europe,” was published in Healthcare in April 2023.