U.S. Drug Treatment Statistics
There are few American families that have not seen their lives touched, in some form, by drug addiction or substance abuse. Statistics compiled by government agencies and drug treatment centers around the United States shed light on the continued shadow that drugs have cast over our society.
The following represents a small sample of these statistics from across the drug addiction and drug treatment spectrums.
Vital United States Drug Treatment Statistics
The following represents a sample of recent data regarding the drug addiction problem in the United States, and the treatment of those individuals who need it most.
- In the year 2006, there were over 23 million people in the United States who needed professional treatment for an addiction to illicit drugs or alcoholism. Shockingly, only 10 percent of these same individuals received care from a drug rehab facility or addiction treatment program.
- The National Institute for Drug Abuse reports that Americans spend over 50 billion dollars annually on illegal narcotics (with over 35% of that money being spent on cocaine).
- Among publicly funded drug treatment centers, the most common reasons for admission were:
- Alcohol (21%)
- Marijuana (14%)
- Heroin (13%)
- Crack cocaine (10%)
- Almost 30% of all individuals who enter drug treatment are between the ages of 20 and 29.
- The non-medical use of prescription drugs is on the rise among young people, with 6.4% of those aged 18 to 25 currently engaging in the behavior (up from 5 percent the previous two years).
- The overall rate of illicit drug use among Americans aged 12 or older is not declining (the figure has hovered around 8% for each of the past three years).
- Illicit drug use is on the rise among men and women age 50-59. This phenomenon is mostly attributed to the rise prescription drug addiction among the elderly (and the general population as well).
- Over 20% of all drug-related hospital visits involve cocaine use – accounting for over 125,000 visits per year.
It is worth noting that over 18% of all admissions into the same facilities were as a result of co-occurring alcoholism and one or more of the drug addictions listed above.
These statistics illustrate the need for quality drug rehab – as well as the importance of the work performed by counselors, drug detox professionals and other valued addiction treatment team members. Individuals who are using drugs, and are unable to stop on their own, need to contact a drug rehabilitation facility immediately.
Michael's House is a residential drug treatment center located in Palm Springs, California. Using a "whole body" approach that enhances the mind, body and spirit of the individual, Michael's House is able to help their patients break the cycle of addiction while improving almost every aspect of their lives. For more information, contact Michael's House today at .
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