Alcohol and drug abuse are problematic across the United States. It’s essential that everyone who uses drugs gets treatment before addiction develops. The following drug abuse statistics demonstrate the need for education and treatment among all ages.
9.4% of the Population Has a Place in Illicit Drug Abuse Statistics
Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that more and more people use illicit drugs every year. In 2002, 8% of people aged 12 and older used illegal drugs. By 2013, this figure rose to over 9% or 24.6 million people.
The most common drug that people use is marijuana. In 2013, nearly 8% of people aged 12 and older reported using the drug. The survey also found that about 7% percent of the population uses prescription drugs in a way other than prescribed. These drugs include pain pills, sedatives, stimulants, and tranquilizers.
People in the 18-to-20 age group use these and other drugs the most. However, data shows that an increasing number of people in their 50s and 60s use drugs as well. This rise is largely among aging baby boomers.
5.4% of Eighth Graders Use Marijuana
According to the 2016 Monitoring the Future survey, over 5% of eighth graders use marijuana on a monthly basis. The survey also reports that nearly 1% of them use marijuana every day.
Among seniors in high school, 23% use marijuana at least once a month, and 6% use it every day. Additionally, about 4% of high school seniors used synthetic cannabinoids in 2016.
7.9 Million People Have Mental and Substance Use Disorders
People of all ages can suffer from mental illness. The 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reports that about 44 million people aged 18 and older have a mental disorder. Substance use disorder is also a problem for 20 million people. Among these individuals, nearly 8 million have both a mental and substance use disorder.
Those who abuse drugs might not realize that they have a mental illness. Having both types of disorders makes it even harder for many people to recover from substance use. However, it’s possible for them to manage the disorders and live sober, healthy lives.
50,000 People Died of Drug Overdose in 2015
The National Center for Health Statistics reports that more than 50,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2015. Among these individuals, almost 35,000 overdosed on opioids. These drugs include heroin, analgesics, and synthetic opioids. This number of deaths is a nearly 3-fold increase in overdose fatalities in 2002.
Cocaine is another drug that caused about 7,000 people fatally overdosed in 2015. This figure is an almost 2-fold increase in 2010 cocaine overdose deaths. Benzodiazepines also caused about 9,000 overdose deaths. Also known as benzos, these psychoactive drugs include Librium, Valium, and Xanax.
11.2% of People Who Abuse Drugs Enter Treatment
The NSDUH reports that 9% or 24 million people aged 12 and older had an alcohol or drug abuse problem in 2009. However, only 11% or 2.6 million of them enter substance use or addiction programs. In 2008, the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration found that there were 2 million rehab admissions for alcohol and drug abuse treatment. About 41% of the admissions were for alcohol abuse, 20% for heroin and opiate abuse, and 17% for marijuana abuse.
Don’t continue to be on the losing end of drug abuse statistics. Get the help that you need at Crestview Recovery. Call now to learn about our evidence-based treatment methods.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
