Drug Addiction Statistics
Drug addiction is one of the most prevalent health-related issues that Americans of all demographics currently face. Drug addiction is a non-discriminatory disease, and it can affect anyone regardless of their sex, gender, age, occupation or current economic standing. The consequences associated with drug abuse are far-reaching and vary significantly depending on the type of chemical substance involved. Some consistent consequences, however, include interpersonal problems, issues at work or school, legal issues, financial insecurity, a range of health-related complications and a rapid deterioration of all other areas of life.
According to a recent study published by the National Institute of Health, it is estimated that 10 percent of all Americans have struggled with a drug abuse disorder of some severity at least once during their lifetimes. Sadly, of these men, women and adolescents, 75 percent reported that they did not seek or receive the professional drug addiction treatment they required. Ten percent of American men and women equate to roughly 23 million individuals.
More About Drug Abuse & Dependence
The diagnostic criteria for drug addiction are clearly outlined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and include a range of symptoms including an inability to cut back or quit despite a desire to do so, continued drug use despite negative effects, the building of a physical tolerance and the experiencing of withdrawal symptoms when drug use is suddenly stopped. Whereas drug abuse used to be categorized by abuse or dependence, it is now categorized by the severity of the substance abuse disorder, which can range between mild, moderate or severe.
In order for an individual to be diagnosed with a drug abuse disorder he or she must meet 11 of the outlined criteria. If you or someone close to you has been struggling with a drug abuse disorder of any severity, Princeton Detox & Recovery Center is available to help. Our comprehensive and highly individualized detox program tackles the symptoms associated with drug withdrawal, offering clients a safe and pain-free withdrawal experience regardless of which type of drug they have been abusing.
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Commonly Abused Drugs
The National Institute on Drug Abuse outlines the most commonly abused drugs throughout the US in a comprehensive and all-inclusive list.
The most frequently abused chemical substances include:
- Opioids – Commonly abused opioids include illicit drugs like heroin, synthetic opioids like fentanyl and prescription opioids like hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine and morphine. Opioid narcotics are responsible for the majority of overdose related deaths that occur throughout the U.S. every year.
- Stimulants – Commonly abused stimulant drugs include cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as prescription stimulant drugs like Ritalin and Adderall (which are generally prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder).
- Prescription medications – Commonly abused prescription medications include central nervous system depressants, prescription opioids and prescription stimulants. Rates of prescription drug abuse have increased significantly over the course of the past several years.
- Cannabinoids – While marijuana is the most commonly abused cannabinoid, synthetic cannabinoids are also commonly abused – mostly among teenagers and adolescents. Contrary to popular belief, marijuana can lead to physical and psychological dependence and significant withdrawal symptoms.
- Hallucinogens – Commonly abused hallucinogenic drugs include psilocybin (magic mushrooms), LSD and mescaline. While these drugs are not as physically addictive as other chemical substances, they can be psychologically habit-forming.
- Dissociative drugs – The most commonly abused dissociative drugs are ketamine, PCP, salvia and dextromethorphan (DXM).
If you or someone you love has been abusing any of the above-listed substances, Princeton Detox & Recovery Center is available to help. Contact us today for more detailed information on our program of drug addiction recovery, or to learn more about our simple admissions process.
10 Facts About Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is devastating, and has the ability to completely destroy the life of the afflicted and his or her loved ones in a shockingly brief period of time. However, the extent of damage caused by drug addiction is not always well-known. We have compiled a list of 10 facts related to drug addiction.
- Drug Related Overdoses — According to data collected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 70,000 Americans lost their lives to drug-related overdose in the year 2019 alone. Rates of illicit drug overdose have remained somewhat consistent over the course of the past several years, but rates of prescription drug overdose have continued to rise.
- While drug addiction can be effectively treated and go into a state of remission, it can never be “cured” once it develops – Treatment for drug addiction generally includes a multi-phased continuum of care that begins with medical detox, transitions into inpatient addiction treatment and concludes with a personalized program of continuing care. Recovery is then an ongoing way of life.
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- Over time, the brain adapts to the presence of chemical substances – Repetitive drug use severely compromises the functionality of the reward and pleasure centers of the brain, and over time drug use will take precedence over even the most vital human functions including eating, drinking water, finding shelter and having sex.
- Some people use drugs recreationally throughout their lives with little to no personal consequences – They might smoke marijuana socially, experiment with common club drugs like cocaine and drink socially without ever developing physical or psychological dependencies. There are others, however, who develop a dependence the very first time they use a chemical substance. Propensity towards addiction is based on several factors, including genetic predisposition, environmental factors, underlying mental health conditions and high stress levels.
- When it comes to heroin and other opioid narcotics, the best method of treatment is a combination – of Medication Assisted Treatment and intensive psychotherapy. It is important to note that medications like Suboxone are never stand-alone treatment options, and they must always be coupled with counseling.
- Drug abuse and addiction are linked to all of the top health-related concerns throughout the U.S. – including cancer, heart disease, blood-borne illnesses like HIV and AIDS and mental illnesses like anxiety and depression.
- There is a pretty clear-cut reason as to why prescription drug addiction is such a significant problem throughout the country – While the U.S. only represents 5 percent of the total world population, 75 percent of all prescription drugs are taken in the US.
- While some parents might believe that having “the talk” with their children doesn’t have any considerable impact – but ample evidence points toward the fact that up to 50 percent of children who talk about the dangers of drug use with their parents avoid experimenting with addictive substances.
- The US National Library of Medicine reports that the vast majority of drug abuse cases are preventable – meaning that most of the deaths attributed to drug addiction could have also been prevented. Prevention programs involving parents, schools and communities are all equally as important.
- Drug addiction coupled with a mental illness is exceedingly common – and is known as a dual diagnosis disorder. Dual diagnosis disorders must be treated in a designated facility.
Drug Addiction Recovery
At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we offer a comprehensive program of medically monitored detox that features a range of addiction services geared toward preparing our clients for the next appropriate level of clinical care. Our detox program focuses on providing a safe and pain-free withdrawal while equipping clients with the coping mechanisms and life skills they need to maintain sobriety for years to come. We have quickly gained a reputation at the Tri-State Area’s leading medical detox center, and we are fully licensed and accredited through the state of New Jersey. Our team of dedicated professionals have combined decades of firsthand experience in the field of substance abuse and mental health, and they offer an integrated level of clinical care that cannot be found anywhere else. To learn more about the evidence-based detox methods we utilize, to begin your own personal journey of drug addiction recovery, or to help your loved one get started on his or hers, contact us today.
Reviewed for accuracy by:
Amanda Hilzer M.Ed, CAADC, IADAC, ICCS, LCADC, CCS
Amanda graduated from Lehigh University with both an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Education degree in Counseling Psychology and has worked in the field of substance use disorder treatment and mental health treatment as a counselor and as a clinical manager for over 14 years.
