Drug Use In The US Is On The Rise

 

Recently, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration finished its survey results on drug use in the US. The results showed some encouraging improvements along with some concerning statistics.

The number of individuals using methamphetamines over the age of 12 has dropped by over 50% in the 4 years from 2006 to 2010. In 2006 the survey showed 731,000 users and the 2010 one dropped to 353,000. Considering the rapid rise in the early 2000's of meth use, the fact it's falling out of vogue is encouraging. Marijuana

However, all is not well in the survey. For people in the US over age 12, the results showed 22.6 million illicit drug users in the US, which is actually increased from 2008. Over half of those who used prescription narcotics for a non-medical reason got them from either a friend or relative who just gave the drugs to them for free. Marijuana Dispensary

Between the ages of 18-25 illicit drug use rose from 19.6% to 21.2%. The main reason for this increase was the rise in marijuana usage. Overall, marijuana use in American has risen from 5.8% to 6.9%. The real number for marijuana users now stands at 17.4 million in the US. The survey did not explain how many of those users are medical marijuana patients or are using it for a debilitating condition. Marijuana Dispensary News

If you have to pick an "illicit drug" to see a rise in, marijuana would understandably be the least worrisome. Sixteen states have now legalized it for medicinal use along with the District of Columbia, and approximately 10 states have pending legislation to do the same. Marijuana Edibles

Cocaine use actually dropped by 40% from 2.6 million to 1.5 million between 2006 and 2010. Another encouraging trend was that teen drinking has dropped one percent between 2009 and 2010 along with tobacco use. Marijuana Effects

Certain trends in the survey are very encouraging, such as the large drops in methamphetamine and cocaine use along with less teen drinking. There are estimated to b 23 million Americans who need substance abuse help, but only 11% who actually receive it.

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Effective treatments are available which are better than ever. A lot of illicit drug users remain in denial, and do not see their use as a real problem. This can be detrimental to the person's long term health and family unit. People tend to think prescription medicines must be safe because a doctor wrote for them. How can they be harmful if that's the case? Going to rehab in America has less stigma than it used to. So hopefully more addicted individuals will utilize the option and get their lives back on track. Marijuana Medical

In addition, numerous studies have now shown that multi-discipline comprehensive pain treatments may relieve pain better than at any time in history. This may decrease the person's need for illicit substances for achieving pain relief. It is important to seek treatment at a comprehensive pain center rather than a "pill mill" though. So if a person has chronic pain and is averse to a drug rehab program, it would be prudent to seek medical care under a pain management physician who can work diligently with you to take legal medications responsibly. And then that doctor can work with you on a comprehensive program to reduce the amount necessary while increasing function simultaneously.