New Data Finds One in Every Four Northern Virginia Adults Know Someone Who Has Been Hospitalized for Alcohol or Drug Overdose

At a time when research also shows local adults are becoming more comfortable discussing addiction and mental health, Inova Health Foundation urges the community to Act on Addiction Now

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Inova

Sep 09, 2021, 08:00 ET

FAIRFAX, Va., Sept. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Inova launched the third consecutive Act on Addiction campaign, a multi-faceted initiative working to fuel greater awareness, combat stigma and connect those suffering from addiction, substance use disorder or mental illness, and their families, with resources in Northern Virginia.

As part of National Addiction Awareness Month, Inova released new data showing the continued impact of addiction and substance use disorder in the area, particularly on younger community members. Today, more than a quarter of adults, and nearly half of local Gen Z-age residents, know someone who has been hospitalized due to alcohol use or drug overdose. In addition, more than 1 in 5 adults say their alcohol or drug consumption has increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has elevated feelings of stress and anxiety, it has also paved the way for a more open dialogue around mental health and addiction. Research from this year's campaign demonstrates a potentially pivotal time for continued conversation as adults in the Northern Virginia area are more willing to talk about mental health and addiction. In fact, one-third of local adults are more comfortable discussing these topics today than at this time last year. First launched in 2019, the Act on Addiction campaign is designed to not just bring awareness to the issue, but to also destigmatize and encourage the conversation around addiction and mental illness.

"So many of our community members have been touched by addiction and, at Inova, we have seen firsthand the toll addiction can have on the lives of individuals, loved ones, and their community," said Dr. Linda Lang, President of the Behavioral Health Service Line at Inova. "At a time when stress, anxiety and fear are heightened, we will continue these critical conversations around substance use disorder and mental health, and provide the key resources and support needed to help our community act on addiction now."

To further the conversation around addiction and substance use disorder, and to connect Northern Virginia residents with local resources, Inova will virtually host the third annual Act on Addiction Summit in conjunction with Fairfax County Public School System's virtual Mental Wellness Conference. Sessions will be held from Monday, September 27 through Friday, October 1 and will each last an hour.

"It is an honor to bring the Act on Addiction campaign back to our community for the third consecutive year," said Brett Hitt, co-chairman of HITT Construction. "This topic is near and dear to our hearts and, while it is heartening to see progress in reducing the stigma of this conversation, we know there is more work to be done."

For more information about Act on Addiction and to register for the Act on Addiction Summit, visit www.ActOnAddictionNow.org.

About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia's leading nonprofit healthcare provider, employing more than 18,000 team members and serving more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes such as the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Inova Schar Cancer Institute and Inova Neuroscience and Spine Institute. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Founded in 1956 as the Fairfax Hospital Association, Inova has grown with its surrounding community and the region to provide a full spectrum of health services, including Northern Virginia's only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,800 licensed beds.

Four of Inova's five hospitals have received five-star rankings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; they are the only hospitals in the Washington, DC region to have earned the highest rating from the federal agency. Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (IFMC) was named the #1 hospital in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area for the 5th time, according to U.S. News & World Report 2019-20 Best Hospitals rankings. Inova's Gynecology department is the highest ranked in the region and #13 in the country. Of Inova Health System's five hospitals, three ranked in the top ten in the DC region. To achieve its mission of providing world-class healthcare to a diverse community, Inova is home to prominent clinicians and scientists who drive innovation to improve patient care, prevent disease and promote wellness. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

Media Contacts:
Tracy Connell
Inova
703-289-2087
[email protected]

Megan Douthat
BRG Communications
703-739-8373
[email protected]

SOURCE Inova