Trends in Drug Addiction
Drugs are a ever-present part of American society, and it's been that way throughout U.S. and world history. Over time, certain drugs gain and lose popularity, and we can attribute these changes to both the popularity and availability of the drugs themselves as well as efforts by organizations to curtail their usage. Studies done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) over the past 13 years have shown certain trends in use and abuse of drugs, both illegal and prescription. Data also shows rates of admission into treatment programs for certain drugs. No matter if someone is afflicted with an addiction to crystal meth, alcohol, or prescription drugs, The Right Step can help people become sober and start their lives anew. Our state-of-the-art treatment center, high quality of care, residential and outpatient treatment options, and experienced staff of professionals are dedicated to helping you and your loved one through the recovery process.
Substance Abuse Statistics and Trends
When the numbers are considered, there are both good and bad trends in drug use occurring across America. The NIDA states that illicit drug use by the country's adolescents is declining for almost all specific types of drugs. When data for 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders are combined, they show that overall, past-month illicit drug use declined by 24% between 2001 and 2007. This downward trend in illicit drug use has been driven largely by reported declines in marijuana use. With cocaine, current use has remained stable between 2002 and 2006, but there's been a decline in use of crack cocaine, especially among younger age groups. Also, the cocaine admission rate for treatment programs in the U.S. declined by 22% between 1995 and 2005, from 132 per 100,000 people aged 12 and over to 103 per 100,000. Another average national admission rate that declined over that same time period was for heroin users - 6% over those ten years, from 109 per 100,000 population to 102 per 100,000.
These declines are good news, but areas of concern are with abuse of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes, and also with admission rates from methamphetamine use. Among young adults aged 18-25, the reported use of prescription drugs (for non-medical use) jumped from 5.4% in 2002 to 6.4% in 2006. The increase is being driven mostly by the use of pain relievers such as OxyContin and Vicodin. These drugs are easy to find and because they are legal, people inaccurately think they are safer than illicit drugs and may even use many drugs at once. This is a dangerous cocktail that can be deadly, as seen in the case of actor Heath Ledger's death in 2008. With crystal meth, the trend of usage has clearly spread eastward from the West Coast. The methamphetamine admission rate for the country increased by 127% between 1995 and 2005, from 30 per 100,000 people to 68 per 100,000.
Treatment for Drug Addiction
Addiction to drugs is an epidemic in America, and the only true way for people to break their addiction is with the help of an effective substance abuse treatment program. At The Right Step, we not only offer a wide array of treatment programs to help you, but we also have a free two year aftercare monitoring program for those who have successfully completed our treatment plan. Exceptional treatment and care, an experienced and empathetic staff, and the support you need and deserve with a recovery program - that's what you can except with The Right Step.
