Cocaine Addiction Statistics
Although the levels of cocaine addiction are not as high as they were during the drug's heyday in the 1970's and 1980's, it still remains a significant problem for rehab counselors and drug enforcement officials around the world.
What follows are some vital statistics about cocaine use, and the health problems associated with those who become addicted to cocaine.
What Is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system and causes hyperactivity, euphoric feelings, increased blood pressure and heart rate and other symptoms. Hardcore cocaine use over time can cause paranoia, delusions and heart disease. Cocaine has been taken in powder form, injected or smoked - among other delivery methods.
Cocaine Addiction Statistics
- Research has found that 25% of all Americans between the ages of 26 and 34 have used cocaine at least once in their life.
- Over 90% of those individuals who have used cocaine report having used alcohol or marijuana before trying cocaine.
- In 2006, over 8% of all high school seniors report having used cocaine at least once during their high school years. This number has remained relatively consistent over the past three decades, dating back to 1975 when such statistics were first tracked.
- Cocaine use by college students reached a ten-year high in 2006 when over 5% reported having used the drug during their time in school. The low during that period was 2.1% in 1996.
- After marijuana and amphetamines, cocaine is considered to be the most widely available drug on high school and college campuses in the United States.
- The United State is the world's number one importer and user of cocaine.
- 1.5 million United States residents are believed to use cocaine at least once per month – a number that has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade.
- As of 2002, New York and Delaware were the two states with the highest percentage of cocaine treatment admissions to hospitals and rehab facilities. For New York, that number was 212 admissions per 100,000 residents aged 12 or older.
- While specific numbers regarding cocaine are currently unavailable, over 20% of those individuals currently incarcerated in the United States prison system were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time they committed their crime.
- Over 600,000 Americans are currently addicted to crack cocaine. Given the smaller number of individuals who smoke the "rock" form of the drug, this makes it one of the most addictive forms of cocaine use in the country.
Michael's House is a residential rehab facility that treats cocaine addiction with caring and expertise. Individuals who come to Michael's House for addiction treatment leave with a fresh start, and more importantly, the tools they need to maintain a drug free life. Contact Michael's House today for more information.
