Drugs in America Today

In America, the drug facts that are associated with all drugs are astounding. They affect people young and old, and as of 2010, an estimated 22.6 million people over the age of twelve reported using drugs in the past month. This number is strictly illicit drugs and does not include prescription drugs and alcohol that comes in at a total of well over 15 million. The above numbers may not seem like a large number of people, but when you think about roughly 40 million people using drugs for recreational purposes, they are going to cause themselves and others around them harm, as well as encouraging others to use drugs or alcohol with them, therefore starting a cycle of drug usage that will only worsen over time. Not only are the facts about drugs upsetting, they are also embarrassing. America is supposed to be a place of freedom, wealth, and power, but because of drug usage, it has become a country known as the pill-popping nation. Not only does this problem need to be addressed, but it is something that should be mandatory due to the struggling economy and the millions of people unable to help rebuild this nation because they are too addicted to hold a job and contribute to society. Shocking Drug Addiction Statistics - 27.1% of hospital visits for prescription medication problems were attributed to recreational usage. - Elderly drug use has increased from 2.7% to 5.8% from the years 2002-2010. - 14.3% people that entered into the emergency room were there because of alcohol use mixed with drugs. - 21.2% of hospital visits were attributed to illicit drug use. - $180 billion are spend annually for people living with a drug or alcohol addiction. This meaning that these individuals are using taxpayer money as a way to get free help, therefore only hurting the communities further once they relapse and begin the process again. - Illicit prescription drug abuse has rise 500% from the year 1990. - Children as young as ten years old have been reported for using drugs or alcohol - Well over 6-million children in America live with one parent addicted to drugs or alcohol - Marijuana is the most abused drug in America today - $122 billion is spent every year by employers due to productivity loss. This does not include the additional 15 billion spent on medical cost. Knowing the Drug Facts You can sit and read statistics all day long and not be affected by the actual gravity of the situation until it finally happens to you. These drug facts are only increasing and costing America everything that it stands for. People die every day because of drugs and alcohol and without treatment. the problem will only cost more people their lives. After reading the above drug addiction statistics, consider the number of people that do not admit to their addictions or drug use because of embarrassment. Without 100% accurate counting, America can be looking at even half of the population living with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, and the real numbers may never be exposed. Overcoming the Drug Addiction and No Longer Being a Statistic Getting help for an addiction is a choice that each addicted individual person in America must make on their own. This choice is only made harder once you add in addiction temptation and possible relapse, but just know that making this choice towards recovery will not only benefit you and your family, but you will also be making a choice that will eventually help affect the rest of the nation. To make the choice towards life as a recovered addict, contact a professional addiction treatment center. They will better educate you about the drug facts in America and also give you guidance towards planning the perfect drug rehab program for yourself or your loved one today.