Drug Addiction Statistics

Thanks to the Internet, social media and anti-drug events, people are more aware of drug risks than ever before. However, it seems that being aware of the risks isn’t enough to stop teens and young adults from trying drugs. New drug addiction statistics show that drug use is still a problem in high schools and colleges. We went through the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health for the latest drug addiction statistics for Americans — take a look at our findings below!

Prescription Drug Addiction Statistics

Drug addiction statistics show that there’s still an increase in drug use in the United States overall. While some prescription drugs have seen a drop in numbers, others have seen an increase. In particular, stimulants like Adderall have seen a drastic rise in use among high school and college students. With ADHD diagnoses up almost 50% over the past decade, not only are doctors prescribing the drug more, but it’s also more accessible to those without a prescription. According to the survey, 5.1 million Americans age 12 and older, or 1.9% of the population, misused prescription stimulants in 2018.

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Another major source of prescription drug abuse are opiates and opioids. The opioid crisis in America has received a great deal of attention, but addictions that end with fentanyl and heroin often begin with prescription painkillers. Approximately 9.9 million Americans age 12 and older, or 3.6% of the population, misused and abused prescription painkillers in 2018

Finally, there are prescription sedatives and tranquilizers, including benzodiazepines. Commonly abused prescription benzos include Xanax and Klonopin. In 2018, 6.4 million Americans age 12 and older, or 2.4% of the population, abused prescription sedatives and benzodiazepines.

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol has had an upward trend in addiction statistics. The public’s general concern about alcohol abuse is very lax because society generally accepts drinking. Bars and restaurants even build their business models around this social acceptance.

For example, many people have heard of the term “happy hour.” Restaurants and bars use it to get people to buy drinks during a certain period of the day. Another saying is, “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” This mantra promotes drinking no matter the time of day.

According to the NSDUH survey, 14.8 million Americans age 12 and older, or 5.4% of the population, suffered from an alcohol use disorder in 2018. Many of these people even make light of the disease with their friends. To make matters worse, many drive while under the influence, putting other people at risk.

Marijuana Drug Addiction Statistics

Marijuana use has seen the biggest growth over time. Studies suggest that nearly 7,000 people in the United States try weed for the first time each day. These staggering drug addiction statistics have made marijuana the most popular drug in the world. The majority of people who initially try it are under the age of 18.

The survey noted that 4.4 million Americans age 12 and older, or 1.6% of the population, have a marijuana use disorder.

Overcoming Drug Addiction

Every year, the number of people who take drugs goes up. However, the number of people seeking treatment stays about the same. You add to these statistics every day that you go without getting help for your addiction. At Serenity Lodge, we can help you overcome your drug problem through one of our programs, which include:

Fight back against your addiction. Find out why our male-only rehab may be the right choice for you or a young adult in your life. Call Serenity Lodge today at [Direct].

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