Cocaine—also known as coke, blow, crack, or rock—is a powerful and incredibly addictive stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America. The effects from snorting, smoking or injecting the drug include short-term euphoria and energy as well as dangerous side-effects that are life-threatening.

It may not be surprising that cocaine is addictive and dangerous; there are, however, certainly some more startling facts surrounding its use.

While illicit drug use has generally declined over the past two decades, the use of cocaine is still prevalent. Its use is especially surprising among the middle school and high school demographic. Consider the following cocaine statistics:

In 2014, 1% of 8th graders had used cocaine, in any form, at least once in their lives. In the same year, 2.6% of 12th graders had used cocaine in some form at least once in their lives.

Most cocaine users are between the ages of 18 and 25.

Most people don’t just wake up one day and decide that they want to use cocaine.

90% of people who have used cocaine had previously used alcohol or marijuana.

Cocaine is the second most common illegal drug used by people in the United States. Around 15%, or 34 million, of Americans age 12 and older have used cocaine at least once.

What does the future of cocaine use look like?

Cocaine use peaked in the 80’s, declined until the 90’s and has since been rising in the United States.

Every day, 5,000 people try cocaine for the first time.

While men are more likely to use cocaine than women, the gap is narrowing.

At least 400,000 babies in the United States are born addicted to cocaine every year.

While cocaine addiction is very serious, there is hope. Substance abuse and addiction rehabs, including many utah drug rehabs, offer treatment services to those who want to get clean. Too often, however, people who need help don’t get it. In 2007, 23.2 million people (or about 9.4% of the U.S. population) age 12 or older needed treatment for either illicit drug or alcohol abuse. Only 2.4 million, or 10.4% of those who needed treatment, actually received it.

If you or a loved one is experimenting with or is addicted to cocaine, contact the Phoenix Recovery Center. They will be able to help you or your loved break away from the addiction and discover a healthier and better way of living.