Addiction Statistics
Addiction Statistics: Discovering the Startling Truth
Addiction statistics show that dependence on drugs and alcohol is more prevalent in the United States today than it has ever been. It is thought that as many as 1 out of every 8 Americans suffers from some type of drug or alcohol addiction. And that number just includes the known cases of addiction. Because of the stigma associated with drug and alcohol addiction, there are likely many more.
According to recent addiction statistics, these numbers have been on the rise for the past 10-20 years. This is no surprise when you consider that nearly 50 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 21 admit to using drugs and alcohol. In fact, underage drinking is seen as a right of passage by many a college freshman.
Other startling addiction statistics reveal that drug and alcohol use are becoming more and more popular with kids under 18 years old. Despite all of the information out there concerning the dangers of drugs and alcohol, it is estimated that nearly 15 percent of American kids use illegal drugs before they turn 18.
Here are several more surprising drug and alcohol statistics:
• Medical costs for an untreated alcoholic are about 300 percent higher than for someone who is not an alcoholic.
• The most common illegal drugs that cause addiction are cocaine and heroine.
• It is estimated that up to 70 percent of all illegal drug users and addicts are gainfully employed, which boosts workplace expenses due to absenteeism, accidents, lower productivity, higher insurance premiums and more employee turnover.
• Experts say that society pays a bill of over $250 billion per year for drug and alcohol abuse.
• Almost 30 percent of young people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported drinking alcohol in the past month.
• Even scarier, almost 13 percent of people in this same age group said they drank and drove.
• Overall, illegal drug use seems to be on the decline, but 25 percent of 8th graders still say they smoke pot on a regular basis.
• Not to be outdone, nearly 32 percent of high school seniors use marijuana regularly.
• Cocaine use is still fairly popular among high schoolers, but the use of crack cocaine has declined almost an entire percentage point over the past few years.
• Many prescription drugs can cause addiction, and this is the area that has seen the most growth when it comes to illicit drug use. The two favorites are OxyContin and Vicodin.
• The non-medical use of prescription drugs now ranks right up there with marijuana use when it comes to people aged 12-20.
Drug and alcohol addiction is a problem for nearly 30 million Americans, and experts agree that addiction and its associated mental afflictions are one of the biggest health problems facing our country today. It is only through immediate intervention and strong social programs that this problem can be reversed.