The Rise of Drug Addiction

Recreational Drug Use: No Demographic is Safe

Why Are Drugs Abused More Nowadays?

How to Know If Someone is Abusing a Drug

Heroin Abuse: An Overview

Meth, Cocaine, and other Street Drugs: An Epidemic

Methamphetamine

Cocaine

Why are Prescription Drugs Abused?

Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

Rise of Alcohol Addiction

How Long Does Rehab Take?

How Much Does Inpatient Alcohol & Drug Rehab Cost?

As we already know, most drugs are illegal. Even those that are prescribed legally have to be used in the exact manner it is prescribed, or else they will be considered both illegal and dangerous. And yet drug use and drug abusers are prevalent in most parts of the world. Individuals that are taking drugs illegally are not likely to speak up about their drug habits, so determining extremely accurate statistics is impossible. However, there are still several surveys, reports, and studies that we can rely on in order to track the rise of drug addiction in the country. And these significant bits of information suggest that drug addiction in the US is very high, and is still on the rise. Some studies claim that it is at a point where it is approaching historic levels. As for opioids, the number of drug overdose deaths since 1999 has quadrupled, despite the fact that certain opioids are supposed to be helpful. From these statistics, we can tell the difference between drug use and drug abuse. Certain drugs can be helpful if used correctly—but unfortunately, many people opt to use their prescription drugs recreationally. It also appears as though people have not been deterred by the fact that they know more about the dangers of drug abuse now more than ever. In the age of technology and accessible information through the internet, the overdose rates for street drugs have skyrocketed.Because of the rampant use of drugs in the US, we can say that there are no demographics that are completely immune to its temptations. In fact, certain groups have even seen significant increases in drug consumption over the past decade. We’re talking about groups that aren’t usually viewed as the ones that are prone to substance abuse. Baby boomers are definitely the most surprising example. This demographic represents adults over the age of 50. The group is composed of people who were born between 1945 and 1964. There are individuals within this demographic that used drugs in their younger years, but stopped once they’ve started their own families. However, they resumed taking drugs recently, now that they have fewer responsibilities. It also happens to be the generation that was historically obsessed with drugs. It’s surprising to find out that older adults are abusing drugs and being arrested for drug-related offenses. In other cases, baby boomers who take drugs recreationally die from drug overdose. The numbers suggest an increasing rate of overdose-related deaths in this demographic. Even the 2012 study published by the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs confirmed that young adults with higher levels of socioeconomic status were more likely to drink alcohol and use marijuana, compared to their poorer peers.While it’s clear that the numbers are rising, it’s not exactly easy to know the specific reasons why. Several theories are being presented as to why drug abuse problems only seem to be worsening despite the constant campaigns against them. Some say that there has been a rise in cases of chronic pain, which potentially leads to an increase in prescription painkiller abuse. The increase in opioid prescriptions has led to opioid abuse and addiction. These prescription painkillers may have even served as the gateway for much worse drug problems. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 11.2 percent of American adults experience chronic pain, while 17.6 percent are struggling with severe pain. With an estimated 126 million Americans reporting some level of pain, it’s no surprise that more and more prescription painkillers are being given away. And the fact that painkillers are more accessible than street drugs only makes them much easier to abuse, for those who have that intention. The correlation between pain and drug abuse then becomes much easier to see.If you think someone you care about is abusing their prescription drugs, make sure to keep track of their intake. Someone who is abusing a drug will run out of their prescription much sooner than they are supposed to. They will take the drug in large doses, or simply take it more often than they should. Some people will attempt to hide the fact that they are abusing their prescription pills, so you’re gonna have to work smarter to learn the truth. There are also those who attempt “doctor shopping" . This means that they’ll visit multiple doctors just to get the same prescription over and over again. This is a clear sign of substance abuse, because more often than not, the first prescription should be enough for them. While we cannot effectively stop drug use in the entire nation, we can do our part when it comes to helping the people we can reach out to. Parents and community leaders alike should do their part in taking a proactive solution to substance abuse and its prevention. Sometimes change starts when you begin looking for the signs and recognizing the risk factors.Heroin is one of the most commonly abused drugs today. In fact, the UN states that heroin use in the US is at a 20-year high right now, and can be considered an epidemic. This can be attributed to the cheap supply of heroin that’s readily available for recreational users. It’s no wonder the drug problem has completely gripped the nation. Because of the increased rate of heroin abuse, the number of drug-related deaths has also increased. It can also be due to the increased supply of heroin, which lowered the prices in recent years.Heroin may be widely abused, but sadly, it’s not the only drug that’s causing problems. Methamphetamine, cocaine, and other street drugs have now also reached epidemic status due to their abuse. These drugs are highly addictive, and can cause a wide range of adverse effects for those who are taking them. But that’s not stopping recreational users from taking them for the sake of euphoric sensations. Let’s have a closer look at what each of these drugs are, and what the statistics say about their abuse rates.In 2012, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, or NSDUH, reported that approximately 0.4 percent of the population has used methamphetamine in the past year. This represents approximately 1.2 million people. Among them, 0.2 percent reported to using it in the past month. In that same year, the Monitoring the Future survey of adolescent drug use and attitudes reported that 1 percent of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders had used methamphetamine within 12 months. The Drug Abuse Warning Network, or DAWN, which collects information from hospital emergency departments (EDs) to survey drug-related cases, reported that methamphetamine accounted for 103,000 ED visits in 2011. In this department, meth was the fourth most notorious drug that caused ED visits, following cocaine, marijuana, and heroin.Cocaine happens to be the second most trafficked illegal drug in the world. Recent statistics even show that cocaine has continuously been seized internationally, and now reaches a total of 756 metric tons annually. The largest quantities of cocaine were intercepted in South America, followed closely by North America. But the US isn’t the only one affected by high rates of cocaine abuse. The European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction states that cocaine is also the second most commonly used illegal drug in Europe. Among people between ages 15 and 34, an estimated 7.5 million have used cocaine at least once in their life. 3.5 million of them have used cocaine in the last year, and 1.5 million have used it as recently as the past month.Street drugs like heroin and cocaine are abused by illicit users due to the euphoric experience they provide. You would expect prescription drugs to be much safer, but that’s where most people are wrong. Prescription drugs can even be considered more dangerous than street drugs, considering how much more accessible they are, and how some people may believe that they are any less addictive. People experiment with prescription drugs, thinking it will help them have more fun in social scenarios. Some people think it will help them fit in—or for those who are conscious about their appearance, even help them lose weight. Students have used prescription drugs to help them study more effectively—thinking the drugs have any effect on their productivity. Prescription drugs are easier to obtain, at least when compared to street drugs. Even family members can have them. This is because prescription drugs are actually given to serve a medical purpose. If they are used exactly as prescribed, they can provide significant health benefits. But if misused, this could have the opposite effect, and actually harm the person taking them. Prescription drugs are also sometimes sold on the street like other illegal drugs. Do take note that despite being legally obtained, if a prescription pill is misused, it can still be considered illegal. Misusing your prescription is against the law. And prescription drug abuse is still on the rise. In 2012, 24 percent of teens surveyed admitted that they have taken a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription. This is simply because they think it is safer and less addictive than street drugs. If they are given away by doctors, surely they should be safe, right? But prescription pills aren’t like that at all.Opioids are semi-synthetic and synthetic derivatives of the opium poppy plant. This includes oxycodone and OxyContin, hydrocodone, and mepiridine. They are prescription painkillers that help block pain signals, but also produce euphoric side effects. This is why they are prone to being abused. Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants, or simply depressants, are normally used to treat anxiety, tension, sleep disorders, and panic attacks. Examples are diazepam, alprazolam, and pentobarbital sodium. They work by slowing down brain activity through the increased activity of the neurotransmitter called GABA. Users may become drowsy or sleepy after taking this type of drug.Alcohol is a very prominent part of every culture all around the world. It is very popular in many different nations, and is considered legal in most of them. But it is also important to talk about how alcohol is commonly considered a drug because it is so prevalent in society. Alcohol abuse is a problem—there’s no other way to look at it. There are many people that can be called “high performing" alcoholics because they can still hold down a high paying job and have a family—but there’s no denying that they have a problem. They are addicted to a substance and they still need help. Everyone comes to a breaking point when it comes to addiction, and it is better to get help sooner rather than later. Nowadays, more Americans are drinking alcohol. And those who are drinking to a point that it is dangerous or harmful—their numbers are steadily rising as well. Drinking patterns have changed between 2002 and 2013. Drinking in general rose substantially within that time frame. And problematic drinking increased by an even greater percentage. If you or someone you know is an alcoholic, do not let them try an alcohol detox by themselves. It is very dangerous. Strict medical help is needed. Sometimes people that struggle with alcohol or drugs can struggle with both. Such a diagnosis is a co occurring disorder, or a dual diagnosis. Some people then need a rehab center that can treat them with both drug and alcohol rehab as well as a detox.If you or someone you love is addicted to alcohol or a certain drug, it’s not too late to seek help. You may be wondering how long rehab lasts, and we can say that 30 days is a good starting point. But depending on a patient’s condition, they may take a longer time to adjust. A 30-day addiction rehabilitation program is one of the more basic types of programs out there. These one-month rehab centers provide their patients the opportunity to stay clean without requiring a long term commitment. For some patients, this may be all they need to get better. For others, this is a great way to get one foot in the door. At the end of this program, individuals may choose to go on with a longer rehab program. They may also transition into an outpatient program, or go into a sober living facility to receive aftercare and help them maintain their sobriety. Most patients don’t really know what to expect when entering a rehab. And in some ways that is a good thing, because the only thing they will care about is whether the facility is effective or not. They will also be concerned about the monetary policies of the facility and its program.Of course, those who are addicted to certain substances will definitely suffer financially, so an expensive treatment plan may be off the table. But consider rehab as a wise investment towards a better future. Even the more expensive ones are more practical than staying addicted and wasting money on drugs. Luckily, you don’t even have to spend much for a good rehab program these days. Most rehab facilities accept insurance, financial support systems, and flexible payment options. Other than these financial concerns, you should consider the facility’s offerings in terms of food quality, housing quality, and room quality. Of course, these will be on top of the actual program itself. During their 30-day stay in the facility, they will attend individual and group therapy sessions. Some facilities offer 12- step group meetings. Some of these programs are heavily based on religion to cater to those with similar beliefs. Some programs group patients according to hobbies, interests, demographics, and age. This is to help them relate to people who are experiencing similar problems. This can reinvigorate their social skills and help them feel less alone. Take note that 30-day rehab programs do require the patient to live at the rehab center for the duration of the program. These differ from outpatient treatment centers. This is so that they can focus entirely on getting better, without the usual triggers and temptations that they may come across in their usual environment. They will live with people who are going through similar struggles so that they can feel less isolated. They can even start building a sober support network by making new friends and acquaintances. These 30-day addiction treatment centers may vary based on the facility, so make sure you do your research before enrolling. Inquire about the programs they offer, and learn about the amenities provided. Learn all about the financial plans and payment methods available as well. The problem of drug abuse and alcohol abuse may still be on the rise, but the only way to lower these figures is by starting with our own families—our own circles. If we can help one person achieve sobriety, we will make all the difference. Work with a qualified treatment center that specializes in behavioral health and can help with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Look for a rehab center near you today and find out how they can help your loved one get back to living a sober life! Rehab Near Me today to get started on your sober journey. 855 339 1112