Addiction is a strong epidemic in the United States today. While many people believe this issue is only with opioids, it’s much worse than that. Drug addiction statistics show us some troubling trends about how many people this severe illness affects. The good news is that if you’re struggling with an addiction, you’re not alone and there is hope through drug addiction treatment in Tennessee.
Drug Addiction in Our Youth
Young people are highly susceptible to addiction based on a wide range of variables. First and foremost, young people have an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, which puts them more at risk. This part of the brain is responsible for logical decision-making, impulse control, and much more. When a young person begins abusing substances, he or she is far more likely to develop an addiction.
A recent study shows that more seniors in high school smoked marijuana than cigarettes. About 23% of seniors had smoked marijuana in the last month. Another issue is that by eighth grade, almost 30% of students have had alcohol. The prescription drug crisis has become a major issue as well, and 60% of teens who have abused these medications got them from friends or family.
The most common prescription medications that people abuse fall into the following categories:
- Opioids
- Benzodiazepines
- Amphetamines
Drug Addiction Statistics
While the type of substance abused may come and go, there are still millions of Americans struggling with addiction. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) the following drug addiction statistics are impacting America:
- Adult addiction treatment centers are still crucial with the statistics showing 19.7 million American adults fighting a substance use disorder.
- Almost 3 out of 4 adults dealing with a SUD were dealing with alcohol addiction.
- 8.5 million Americans who suffered from a SUD also experienced a mental health disorder. These co-occurring disorders require specialized dual diagnosis treatment for recovery.
- 1 out of 8 adults deals with both drug and alcohol use disorders at the same time.
Overdose Rates
According to the data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), thousands upon thousands of people die each year from overdose. In the United States alone, almost 70,000 people die each year as a result of a drug overdose. This statistic is for illicit drugs as well as prescription opioids, which means it doesn’t include alcohol-related deaths. What’s scary is that more people are dying from prescription opioid overdoses than heroin overdoses.
It’s important to realize that the prescription drug epidemic is escalating because many people believe they don’t have a problem. Addiction hijacks crucial parts of the brain meant for survival, so people justify their prescription drug use. As a country, we prescribe 81% of the world’s entire supply of opioids. Many people are seeking these medications as a way to feed their addiction.
Help for Addiction
Drug addiction treatment at a licensed facility is the best way for you to regain control over your life. We’re here to help you recover from any drug addiction at Memphis Recovery Centers.
Our facility in Memphis, Tennessee, offers a variety of levels of care, as well as an aftercare program that lasts up to six months. We know how important it is for you to continue working on your recovery after you leave treatment, which is why we provide additional resources.
Some treatment programs that we offer at Memphis Recovery include:
- 12 step recovery programs
- Inpatient drug rehab
- Family therapy program
- Youth drug rehab
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Polysubstance abuse treatment
Our facility has been helping people who struggle with addiction for over 40 years. We have a passionate and caring staff who will give you the personalized attention you deserve. Find out more about our program by contacting us today at 901-272-7751.
