Massage and energy work have been shown to reduce problems related to drug abuse and depression. A report released on March 6 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that although there are some differences in the patterns of substance use and mental-health problems experienced among states and regions, all parts of the country are seriously affected by these problems.

“By highlighting the nature and scope of the challenges affecting each state, we can help focus and target substance abuse and mental illness prevention and treatment resources," said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D., in a press release. SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Among the results:

• Utah had the highest level of people age 18 or older reporting serious psychological distress in the past year (14.4 percent), while Hawaii had the lowest level (8.8 percent).

• The percentage of persons with a substance-use disorder, including either drug or alcohol dependence or abuse, ranged from a low of 7.5 percent in New Jersey to a high of 12.3 percent in the District of Columbia.

• The highest rate of illicit drug dependence or abuse was in the District of Columbia (4.3 percent), while the lowest rate was in Iowa (2.1 percent).

• Kentucky had the lowest rate of alcohol dependence or abuse (6.3 percent). Montana had the highest rate (10.8 percent).

• Hawaii had the lowest level of people age 18 or over reporting at least one major depressive episode in the past year (5.0 percent) while Nevada had the highest rate (9.4 percent).


The full report is available at www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k6State/toc.cfm.

For more information about the benefit is of massage to people suffering from substance abuse and addictions, see "Rebuilding Shattered Lives: Massage Therapy Helps Recovery from Addictions" (MASSAGE Magazine, February 2007):