Drug Addiction Facts

Drug Addiction Facts

Here are some facts that may surprise or sadden you about drug abuse. As with most issues about addiction, there is much that is unexpected; the costs or much higher than expected and the causes are very sad. Terminology is often misused and misunderstood.

Drug/Substance/Chemical ABUSE is people making bad decisions, like having too many drinks at a bar on Saturday night. Drug/Substance/Chemical DEPENDENCE is not being able to stop using. It is impaired use of the drug, characterized by the inability to not use.

DSM-IV –TR outlines the criteria for any drug/substance/chemical dependence or use disorder (addiction). Three or more of the following must be present in order for an individual to be diagnosed with a chemical use disorder:

• Tolerance

• Withdrawal

• Substance taken for a longer time and in greater amounts than intended

• Desire or efforts to reduce or control use

• Much time spent trying to obtain substance

• Social, recreational or occupational activities given up or reduced

• Continued use despite knowing problems caused by substance

DSM-IV-TR criteria for drug/substance/chemical abuse is characterized by the one or more of the following:

• Failure to meet obligations

• Repeated use in situations where it is physically dangerous

• Repeated substance-related legal problems

• Continued use despite problems caused by substance

Dependence or addiction is a brain disease caused by a brain “disregulation.” It is characterized by impaired decision making, an inability to stop using without help.

Folk Lore: The following statements have no basis in fact:

• Crack babies are addicted. No, crack babies are distressed because their mothers are probably also using alcohol and are malnourished.

• Marijuana is not addictive. The truth is, statistically, 1 in 10 will become addicted

• Using certain drugs, even once, means you’re automatically addicted.

• Addiction can be cured by medicine.

• Children should be permitted to drink in the presence of their parents because a drink or two is “harmless.”

According to the National Institute of Health, addiction impacts all Americans, because we all pay the cost for it. Statistics show that drug abuse and drug addiction cost Americans nearly $500 billion annually. This figure includes healthcare costs (and abuses of that system); lost job wages, traffic accidents, crime and the associated criminal justice system costs.

Approximately 11 million people suffer from alcohol dependence.

Children who start drinking in their early teen years are much more likely to develop problems with alcohol than those who wait until they are 21.

Alcohol is more toxic than many other drugs because it impacts the entire body, not just the brain.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 10 to 22 percent of car crashes involved drivers who have been using drugs.

Drug use and addiction is linked to at least half of the major crimes in this country, as at least half of the suspects arrested for violent crimes, such as homicide and assault, were under the influence of drugs when they were arrested.

Stress is a major factor in drug use and abuse.

Sadly, nearly two-thirds of people in drug abuse treatment report that they were physically or sexually abused as children. Child abuse is a major contributing factor to drug addiction.

Marijuana and LSD ARE addictive!

Among persons aged 12 or older who used pain relievers non-medically in the past 12 months, 55.7 percent reported that the source of the drug the most recent time they used was from a friend or relative for free.

The Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book” and medical science are compatible.

Spirituality can play an important role in treatment and recovery. Meditation, for example, can have the same effect on the brain as an opioid analgesic.

The 12 Step Recovery process works. The greatest reason for failure rests on the unwillingness of the individual to turn to God, as he/she understands God.

12 Step is NOT religion. It is NOT tied to any faith tradition. It is the collective thinking and experience of addict/alcoholics who have walked through the dark tunnel of their disease and found recovery.

Treatment for any drug/substance/chemical use disorder should be individualized. While there are accepted practices, one size does not necessarily fit all. If you have tried and failed, keep trying.

More Drug Addiction Facts 1:

Drug abuse and drug addiction, according to the National Institute of Health, impacts all Americans, because we all pay the cost for it.

Drug Addiction Facts 2:

Statistics show that drug abuse and drug addiction cost Americans over $484 billion annually. This figure includes healthcare costs (and abuses of that system), lost job wages, traffic accidents, crime and the associated criminal justice system costs.

Drug Addiction Facts 3:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 10 to 22 percent of car crashes involved drivers who have been using drugs.

Drug Addiction Facts 4:

Drug use and addiction is linked to at least half of the major crimes in this country, as at least half of the suspects arrested for violent crimes, such as homicide and assault, were under the influence of drugs when they were arrested.

Drug Addiction Facts 5:

Stress is a major factor in drug use and abuse.

Drug Addiction Final Fact 6:

Sadly, nearly two-thirds of people in drug abuse treatment report that they were physically or sexually abused as children. Child abuse is a major contributing factor to drug addiction.

Click here for Alcoholism Facts

Addiction Facts

Here are some facts that may surprise or sadden you about drug abuse. As with most issues about addiction, there is much that is unexpected; the costs or much higher than expected and the causes are very sad. That fact that child abuse is such a strong predictor of abuse speaks volumes about the problem. See what you think:

Drug Addiction Facts 1:

Drug abuse and drug addiction, according to the National Institute of Health, impacts all Americans, because we all pay the cost for it.

Drug Addiction Facts 2:

Statistics show that drug abuse and drug addiction cost Americans over $484 billion annually. This figure includes healthcare costs (and abuses of that system), lost job wages, traffic accidents, crime and the associated criminal justice system costs.

Drug Addiction Facts 3:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 10 to 22 percent of car crashes involved drivers who have been using drugs.

Drug Addiction Facts 4:

Drug use and addiction is linked to at least half of the major crimes in this country, as at least half of the suspects arrested for violent crimes, such as homicide and assault, were under the influence of drugs when they were arrested.

Drug Addiction Facts 5:

Stress is a major factor in drug use and abuse.

Drug Addiction Final Fact 6:

Sadly, nearly two-thirds of people in drug abuse treatment report that they were physically or sexually abused as children. Child abuse is a major contributing factor to drug addiction.

More Facts on Drug Addiction

Here are some statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Family Services concerning drug abuse and addiction:

-- In 2006, an estimated 20.4 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users, meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview. This estimate represents 8.3 percent of the population aged 12 years old or older. Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically.

-- In 2006, there were 2.4 million current cocaine users aged 12 or older, which was the same as in 2005 but greater than in 2002 when the number was 2.0 million. However, the rate of current cocaine use remained stable between 2002 and 2006.

-- Hallucinogens were used in the past month by 1.0 million persons aged 12 or older in 2006, including 528,000 who had used Ecstasy. These estimates are similar to the corresponding estimates for 2005.

-- There were 7.0 million persons aged 12 or older who used prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs non-medically in the past month. Of these, 5.2 million used pain relievers, an increase from 4.7 million in 2005.

-- In 2006, there were an estimated 731,000 current users of methamphetamine aged 12 or older.

-- Among youths aged 12 to 17, current illicit drug use rates remained stable from 2005 to 2006. However, youth rates declined significantly between 2002 and 2006 for illicit drugs in general and for several specific drugs, including marijuana, hallucinogens, LSD, Ecstasy, prescription-type drugs used non-medically, pain relievers, tranquilizers, and the use of illicit drugs other than marijuana.

-- The rate of current marijuana use among youths aged 12 to 17 declined from 8.2 percent in 2002 to 6.7 percent in 2006.

-- Among persons aged 12 or older who used pain relievers non-medically in the past 12 months, 55.7 percent reported that the source of the drug the most recent time they used was from a friend or relative for free.

-- In 2006, there were 10.2 million persons aged 12 or older who reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs during the past year.

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