Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Substance Use and Mental Health

Jan 31, 2008

Highlights:

• Data are presented on substance use and mental health problems before and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita among adults aged 18 or older who lived in the Gulf State Disaster Area and for adults living in the rest of the United States. Estimates of substance use and mental health problems before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from July 2004 through June 2005. Estimates for the post hurricane period were based on NSDUH data from January 2006 through December 2006.

• Based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on substance use and mental health was primarily found among persons who were displaced from their homes.

  Substance Use:

• Adult Gulf State Disaster Area residents who were displaced from their homes for 2 weeks or longer had significantly higher rates of past month use of illicit drugs, marijuana, and cigarettes than those who were not displaced.

• Adult Gulf State Disaster Area residents who were displaced from their homes for less than 2 weeks had significantly higher rates of past month binge alcohol use than those who were not displaced.

• Mental Health Problems:

• Adult Gulf State Disaster Area residents who were displaced from their homes for 2 weeks or longer had significantly higher rates of serious psychological distress, major depressive episode, and unmet need for mental health treatment or counseling in 2006 than those who were not displaced.

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