Substance Abuse Trends and Statistics

As a society, it is difficult to treat the problem of substance abuse without knowing the facts behind the problem. Drug rehab centers are filled with individuals who never received a good education about the dangers of substance abuse when they were young – and as such found themselves caught in negative cycle of alcoholism or drug addiction.

Recent Trends and Statistics concerning Substance Abuse

It is easy to dismiss opinion regarding the current drug crisis in the United States, but one cannot argue with the facts. The following statistics have been culled by some of the top drug agencies in the world, and providing a clear look at the depth and seriousness of the substance abuse and addiction problems in the U.S.

According to the National Institute on Drug Addiction over 8% of the entire population of the United States are current users of an illicit substance. That represents almost 20 million people.
By the time they have completed high school, over half (51%) of the young people in America will have tried an illicit substance.
"Huffing" and the use of inhalants is on the rise among 8th graders in the United States – with over 17% reporting that have tried inhalants at least once.
8% of Americans over the age of 12 report having used an illicit drug at least once in the past month.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice over 66% of high school seniors report having used alcohol at least once within the past month.
In 2006 42.3% off all high school seniors reported having used marijuana or hashish at least once in their lives.

Good News about Substance Abuse Trends

Despite the prevalence of substance abuse and addiction in the United States, there is some encouraging news coming out recent research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and other official agencies. Specifically, these positive trends involve teenagers and the lower levels at which they are using illicit substances.

Consider the following information:

The past three years has seen a 17% decline in levels of any illicit drug use among 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders combined.
Ecstasy use over that same period among 10th and 11th graders has dropped significantly.
Tobacco use (often a harbinger of drug use) is currently at its lowest level among young people in over ten years (since 1997).

While these numbers provide hope that education about the dangers of drug use are working, it is important to stay vigilant on the subject of educating young people about substance abuse and addiction. They younger they are reached, the lower the chance that they themselves will become addicted.

Located in Palm Springs, California, Michael’s House is a residential drug rehab center offering a "whole body" approach to addiction that treats the mind, body and spirit of the individual. Contact Michael’s House today for more information.