Reading Time: 1 minute

## Substance use disorders

Substance use disorders include **alcohol and drug harm**ful use or abuse and alcohol or drug dependence.

- The main contributors to mental health related deaths were alcohol dependence (44% and) and drug use disorder (20%)
- Nearly 5% of all deaths are attributed to alcohol and illicit drug use.
    Substance use disorders affect more people who are **widowed, separated, or divorced** (7.5%) **unemployed** ( 8.5%)
- The occurrence of substance use disorders is **higher in men above 16 years of age**. for women, it affects those aged between 16 and 24 years the most.
- Substance abuse is **3 times greater in men** than in women

![substance abuse disorder cost to care sapience financial](https://www.finallysorted.com.au/images/cost-to-care/substance-abuse-disorder-cost-to-care-sapience-financial.svg)