Substance abuse, including both drugs and alcohol, is a disease that affects our entire world. Despite attempts to reduce the number of users or slow down the overall amount of deaths, many experts agree that the war on drugs has not been successful. The fact is that the death toll of overdose continues to climb and the statistics behind the number of incarcerated non-violent men and women for drug use is staggering.
Because we care, we believe that education plays a critical role in substance abuse prevention and treatment.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, reported opioid deaths escalated 25-50% higher than the previous year.
A CDC survey reported that out of the 5,412 respondents, 41% reported symptoms of adverse behavioral health conditions. 26% of respondents reported trauma— and stressor-related disorder symptoms related to COVID-19
CDC data recorded an influx of emergency department visits between March and October of 2020 found:
Call and text volumes to Disaster Distress Helpline increased considerably during the Covid-19 Pandemic:
Additionally, an NCBH survey compiled in August of 2020 recorded that out of the 343 provider networks polled, 52% reported increased demand for treatment. In February of 2021, NCBH’s new survey data found that the demand for treatment increased to 67%.
Based on this preliminary data, 2020 had the biggest year-to-year increase in fatal drug overdoses in the last 20 years. This is particularly devastating considering the encouraging signs shown between 2018 and 2019 which indicated that fatal drug overdoses were starting to plateau.
Mental Distress Rates (PubMed)
FOCUS: 1st Time Guests
>The Vista Research Group, Inc., a research institute with a focus on addiction and behavioral treatment, monitored guests entering drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers from 2018 to 2020. The data collected indicated the shifts in the top primary drug of choice used by guests.
Between 2018 to 2020, the Vista Research Network collected data on the primary drug of choice of each guest’s substance use disorder. The research indicated a dramatic shift in the drug preference amongst newly admitted guests. Within the 3 year span, heroin/opioid use dropped from 1/3 of guests to 22%. At the same time, the reports of alcohol use disorder (AUD) increased from 37% to exactly 50% of all SUDs entering an addiction treatment program.
Vista’s data collection on the primary drug of choice indicates the current environment of substance use disorders. The development in prevalent drug abuse suggests a relatively sudden change occurred within society. By identifying the fluctuation in opioid use and noting the spike in alcohol use disorders, medical professionals know to analyze potential stressors, triggers, and events that lead to a shift in substance abuse. In this particular instance, Covid-19 acted as a catalyst of the full-blown AUD in many previously functioning heavy alcoholics. As a result, people that had a handle on their alcohol dependence lost their grasp and required the assistance of addiction treatment.
Alcoholism is the most widely consumed and abused substance in our country but is very rarely treated. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is highly toxic to the body and can even be lethal. AUD detox is considered the most difficult as well as dangerous to the body because of the powerful, potentially fatal withdrawal side effects.
Statistics on Alcohol abuse:
All of these devasting statistics illustrate the dangers of alcoholism. In fact, alcohol use disorder is the third most lethal cause of preventable death in the country.
Drug overdose is the number one leading cause of accidental death in the United States, but statistically speaking, opiates and prescription painkillers are leading those numbers. The so-called Opioid Crisis has become a key player in the war on drugs.
Numbers on Opiates and Opioid use disorder:
Deaths continue to rise steadily, as does use, regardless of the data and_facts to prove the addictive nature of opiates and pain medication.
Heroin is a commonly known street drug, that is typically taken in injection form. Statistically speaking, many heroin users actually start out using prescription painkillers. Due to the nature of heroin use, the risk of blood diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis is very common.
Facts about Heroin abuse:
Powerful painkiller medication prescriptions are written by doctors daily. These doctors tend to dole out prescriptions without providing their patients with the proper education to make sure they know the risks. Many doctors are also not trained or well equipped to deal with the potential or eventual risk of addiction associated with prescription opiates.
Data on prescription opiates:
Stimulants, such as cocaine, meth, or crack are widely abused throughout every demographic. However, in recent years, young adults and adolescents have been abusing stimulant drugs in the form of prescription ADHD medications such as Adderall. These medications are much easier for the youth to obtain than street drugs and still have similar effects.
Stats on stimulants:
Methamphetamines addiction and fatality are also on the rise. Meth is a highly addictive controlled substance that is typically burned and smoked. The effects of the drug are extremely detrimental to the user’s physical wellbeing, especially hygiene, nutrition, and dental health.
Meth statistics and_facts:
Cocaine, typically taken by snorting, is a more common street stimulant. This is typically a younger person’s drug, with most users being under the age of 25. Millions of Americans try or use cocaine at least once every year, with many of them being under the age of 18.
Facts for Cocaine abuse:
Crack is a derivative of cocaine, used by boiling cocaine with other toxic substances and then using the byproducts to get high. This results in an extremely addictive, highly toxic, and a very intense stimulant drug. It is almost always smoked and delivers an almost immediate euphoric effect.
Facts about Crack:
Benzodiazepines, more commonly known as Benzos, are typically prescribed controlled substances and sedatives used to treat anxiety or depression. Typically known as Xanax, Ativan, or Valium, these are regular medications prescribed by doctors every day. They work to calm nerve impulses, which helps to calm anxiety.
Statistics for Benzo abuse:
It is no secret that the United States has the most incarcerated men and women for substance abuse in the world. The numbers behind these incarcerations are alarming and staggering. Many experts believe that this is a big failure by the war on drugs, as rather than rehabilitate, people are instead locked away and punished, even if they cause no harm to persons or property.
Drug incarceration statistics:
While many people believe that rehab for substance abuse is only for the wealthy, drug abuse treatment is for everyone in need. It is not the type of program you only look for after rock bottom, but in fact, as soon as you have made the conscious decision that you want to live a healthier life. The statistics on this page should only help end the stigma, educate yourself and provide support or ask for help instead. Anyone at any point in their addiction should receive treatment if they want to recover safely.
Substance Abuse Treatment_facts:
At Royal Life Centers, we are dedicated to providing quality care, unmatched standards, and only the best practices. Reach out to us today, our team of addiction specialists make themselves available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Because We Care.