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Addiction by the Numbers: U.S. Treatment Stats

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Treatment for Three Decades and Counting

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Pill bar graphVery few families have not seen their lives changed in some way by drug addiction or substance abuse. Statistics compiled by U.S. government agencies and drug treatment centers have been closely monitoring the effects of drug addiction in our society. The following information represents a small sample of drug addiction statistics that demonstrates just how serious the problem is in the United States.

  • The 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 8.1 percent of the United States (or 21.7 million people) aged 12 or older needed substance use treatment in the past year.1
  • A total of 2.5 million persons received treatment in the United States, which means millions of people still need drug treatment.2
  • Research from The Rand Corporation shows that people in the United States spend approximately $100 billion annually on cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamines.3
  • Nationally, an annual average of 20.3 million people aged 12 or older used marijuana in the past month.4
  • More than half of new illicit drug users begin with the drug marijuana.5
  • Excessive alcohol use led to approximately 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost (YPLL) each year in the United States.6

Among publicly-funded drug treatment centers, the most common reasons for admission into treatment include:

  • Alcohol (21%)
  • Marijuana (14%)
  • Heroin (13%)
  • Crack cocaine (10%)

It is worth noting that over 18% of all admissions into these same facilities were as a result of co-occurring alcoholism and one or more of the drug addictions listed above.7

If nothing else, these statistics illustrate the great need for quality drug rehab. Never has the need been greater in this country. And never has the work performed by counselors, drug detox professionals and other addiction treatment team members been more important than it is today.

Michael’s House is a residential drug treatment center located in Palm Springs, California. We use a “whole body” approach that enhances the mind, body and spirit of the individual, Michael’s House is able to help their patients break the cycle of addiction.Anyone who is struggling with any form of drug abuse, please consider calling our helpline right now. Don’t become another statistic. You can get the help you need. For more information, contact Michael’s House today at 760.548.4032.


Sources

1 Lipari, Rachel N. “America's Need For And Receipt Of Substance Use Treatment In 2015.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 29 September 2016. Accessed 9 November 2017.

2 “The U.S. Addiction Rehab Industry.” Marketwatch. Accessed 9 November 2017. 4 August 2014.

3 Zobeck, Terry. “How Much Do Americans Really Spend On Drugs Each Year?” The Whitehouse. 7 March 2014.Accessed 9 November 2017.

4 Hughes, Arthur, M.S.“Marijuana Use And Perceived Risk Of Harm From Marijuana Use Varies Within And Across States.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 26 July 2016. Accessed 9 November 2017.

5Nationwide Trends.” National Institute on Drug Abuse. June 2015. Accessed 9 November 2017.

6 “Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.N.d. Accessed 9 November 2017.

7Treatment Statistics.” National Institute on Drug Abuse.March 2011. Accessed 9 November 2017.

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