5 Facts About Drug Abuse You Should Know

Why Drug Abuse Rehab May Be a Necessity

Most drugs have the ability to affect a person’s thinking and judgment, potentially damage health, and cause addiction or dependency. While most people have a general awareness of the risks of drug abuse, many of those risks are frequently underestimated. Drug abuse statistics can be helpful in revealing the true extent of the damage.  They show where we need to direct our focus and open our eyes to the dangers of drug abuse.

Five Numbers You Need to Know About Substance Abuse

• PrevalenceMore than 40 million Americans 12 years old and older are struggling with addiction to a substance. That is more than the number of Americans with either heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. Often we think of addiction as a relatively small problem affecting only a handful of people—these statistics tell us otherwise.
• OverdoseIn 2014 47,055 people in the US died of an overdose. That is 1.5 times as many people as died in car crashes. With the rising opioid epidemic, the number of overdoses deaths are rapidly increasing. From 2013 to 2014 there was a 14% increase in opioid related deaths. Opioids account for 64% of overdose deaths. Drugs not only destroy people’s lives, they all too frequently take those lives as well.
• Prescription Drug AbuseOften we assume drug abuse only impacts lower income, urban, and minority demographics, but the numbers are telling a different story. With the rise in availability of prescription drugs, especially opioids, drug abuse in suburban areas has risen. Many people who begin abusing prescription drugs were given a valid prescription or obtained drugs from a friend or family member who received them legally. Particularly at risk are adolescents and youths age 18-25. In this age group 5.9% report having used prescription drugs for nonmedical use in the last month.
• Mental HealthIndividuals who suffer from mental health disorders are twice as likely as the general population to suffer from mood and anxiety disorders. Likewise, those whose struggle with addiction are twice as likely to also be diagnosed with a mental disorder. It is critical to diagnose and treat both disorders simultaneously in order to facilitate recovery. The co-existing disorders often interact and exacerbate the other’s symptoms making recovery nearly impossible if not treated at the same time.
• TreatmentOnly one out of every ten people who need treatment for a substance abuse will receive it. Drug abuse is harmful and dangerous when left untreated and can wreak havoc on individuals’ lives, families, communities, and society as a whole.

Sometimes statistics like these can start to seem like a long list of abstract numbers, but the sobering fact is that you probably know someone represented by these numbers.

If you have concerns about a loved one who may be struggling with dependence or addiction, contact our drug abuse rehab center and reach out for help today. For more information about drug abuse or treatment options contact Bracebridge Hall, a Recovery Centers of America Company, to speak with one of our 24/7 care consultants. Call 1-800-RECOVERY today.