An overview of drug addiction in the US

According to the DEA and their report that was released for the 2009 calendar year, the primary drug threats in the US today are the following:

• Cocaine in crack or powder form
• Heroin
• Marijuana
• MDMA’s (club drugs and date rape drugs)
• Methamphetamines
• Prescription painkillers

Not only is drug addiction a serious concern from a legal standpoint, the National Health Institute has also stated that it is a serious public health threat.  Every year in the US, there are roughly 40 million reported cases of serious illness or injury that is drug abuse related as well as deaths caused by overdosing.  It also creates many societal consequences for the addicted individual as well.

Drug addiction statistics

At the present time, the US is experiencing more drug addiction problems than ever before.  Additionally, many of the substances that were preferred 30 to 40 years earlier during the 1970’s are no longer common and rarely an issue in society today.  The following statistics have been compiled to reflect certain drug abuse and addiction statistics on both the national and state-by-state levels:

• Since 1992, the number of people who died from cocaine overdose has tripled
• The number of individuals between the ages of 50 and 59 that were abusing drugs nearly doubled from 2.5% to 4.7%
• Over 6 million children in the US live with at least one parent or adult that is addicted to drugs
• The number of deaths resulting from drug overdoses has risen over 540% since 1980
• Other than alcohol, the most commonly abused substance among individuals aged 12 or older is marijuana, followed by prescription painkillers, cocaine in both crack and powder form, and hallucinogens
• Drug abuse and addiction costs US employers roughly $15 billion in health insurance and over $122 in lost productivity time
• In the past 20 years, the number of individuals who are illegally using painkillers has risen over 500%

Seeing these above statistics, it should come as no surprise that the number of addiction treatment and recovery centers in the US have grown in significant numbers as well.

How do you find the best drug rehab facilities?

If you or a loved one is suffering with drug addiction, you should consider contacting the Del Ray Recovery Center and discovering why we are one of the best drug rehab facilities in the US.  We are a comforting and inviting residential facility with one of the highest recovery success rates in the country and would like for you to contact us for more information regarding our addiction treatment and recovery programs.  Simply fill out the form above and we will contact you immediately.