There’s no question that drug addiction is one of the biggest health problems facing the United States today. For a variety of reasons, more and more people are turning to drugs. Some do so to deal with work or general life stress. Others succumb to peer pressure and find that they enjoy the high. Whatever the reason, these drug use statistics point to a health crisis.
The Opioid Overdose Problem
If you pay attention to the news, you’ve likely noticed the uptick in both heroin and prescription drug use. These drugs can quickly lead to fatal overdose. In fact, from July 2016 through September 2017, opioid overdoses increased by 30%. The problem is escalating quickly among all age groups.
Unfortunately, getting ahold of both prescription painkillers and heroin is becoming increasingly easy.
The Cost of Drug Abuse
Did you know that the expense of drug abuse affects more than just the person using? In fact, between health initiatives, employee productivity loss, and healthcare costs, illicit drug abuse alone costs the United States nearly $193 billion. This doesn’t include what it costs individuals who are caught in the web of drug abuse.
Between medical bills, the cost of drug use, and court fees alone, abusing drugs can begin to drain a bank account quickly.
The Quietly Dangerous Drug
People drink alcohol every day. Since it’s legal in most countries and easy to obtain, many individuals drink moderately and are able to enjoy the effects of alcohol. However, others aren’t able to moderate their alcohol intake. They may find themselves drinking every day, consuming more and more in order to achieve the same feeling.
Sadly, alcohol abuse leads to nearly 88,000 deaths every year. This may be a result of alcohol poisoning, drunk driving, or even chronic liver disease. The important thing to be aware of is that alcohol is not a harmless drug. It’s quite possible to overdose and addiction may develop quickly.
The Gateway Drug
While more states across the country are legalizing marijuana, it doesn’t mean that this drug is safe, especially for younger individuals. Unfortunately, up to 6% of high school students use marijuana each year.
High school students, and anyone under the age of 25, in fact, don’t have fully developed brains. Using drugs that alter consciousness during this crucial period of development can lead to challenges down the road. Moreover, using drugs at a younger age also increases the chances of developing an addiction.
The Startling Drug Use Statistic
Maybe the most worrying of all of these drug use statistics is the number of overdose deaths. In 2016 alone, over 66,000 people in the United States died as a result of an overdose. This doesn’t include the individuals who overdosed but were able to be revived by a drug like Narcan.
Many of these overdose deaths are accidental and often result from relapse or unregulated street drugs.
Shake Off These Drug Use Statistics at Crestview Recovery
Don’t let these drug use statistics consume your life. Help is available that can get you back on your feet. Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon offers a variety of programs, including:
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Partial hospitalization
- Detox referrals
- Aftercare
To begin on the road to addiction recovery at a quality drug rehab center, give us a call today at 866.262.0531.
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.
