| Sent on February 4, 2008 | SAMHSA Health Information Network | eNetwork Archives |
Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Substance Use and Mental Health
Adults forced from their homes for 2 weeks or more by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita were much more likely to report mental health and substance abuse problems than those who were not similarly dislocated, according to a report based on surveys conducted before and after these storms hit.
The report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), however, also indicated that most adults in the areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita did not evidence increased levels of mental health or substance abuse problems.
“This report shows that most people are resilient—that they can overcome tremendous adversity,” said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D. “But it also shows that when people are displaced from their homes, it can be devastating and that mental health resources can play a critical role in enabling them to fully recover from such a trauma.”
The report was based on data drawn from National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) surveys done before and after the storms. The report focused on approximately 14 million adults living in the Gulf State Disaster Area (regions of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas declared eligible for disaster relief).
Download NSDUH Report:
Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Substance Use and Mental Health
(983 KB)
