Nearly most generations, demographics, and genders in America, drug use has amplified. Did you know that American drug abuse has reached alarming rates, whether discussing synthetics, marijuana, prescription drugs, or heroin?
One would assume those numbers would be headed toward the opposite direction, especially with different information about drug use dangers. Hence, why have Americans gone backward in the battle against drug abuse?
The Prevalence of Drug Abuse and Use in the US
Drugs are illegal in the country, and most people aren’t likely to speak about their drug habits. That’s why identifying the specific range of drug use in the country is impossible. However, you will find various reports, studies, and surveys suggesting that American drug use is high.
For instance, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported in 2014 that approximately 24.6 million people over twelve years old utilized an illicit drug throughout the last month. That accounted for 9.4% of the demographic.
Furthermore, the number of heroin users in the US hit a twenty-year high based on the World Drug Report of the UN in 2016. The number of heroin users in the country reached almost one million in 2014.
Who is Doing More Drugs?
Drug abuse is too rampant in the country. That makes it safe to tell that there are no demographics, which are immune to the temptation of drug abuse. Nonetheless, you will find a few certain groups who have noticed a substantial rise in drug use over the past ten years. The major change in drug consumption has been among groups, which are not perceived as demographics susceptible to substance abuse.
People who are doing more drugs in the United States are the following:
- Women
Among girls ages twelve to seventeen utilize prescription painkillers, methamphetamine, alcohol, painkillers, and other illicit drugs. Of the 6.5 million Americans who abused or misused prescription drugs were female.
- Affluent
A survey discovered that rich kids from Alameda and Contra Costa counties in California tend to use drugs than their peers from poor communities.
- Baby boomers
Older adults abuse different drugs, being arrested for offenses, and dying from overdoses at higher numbers than in the past.
How to Stop Drug Abuse in America?
The efforts on the war on drugs in America and addiction recovery have only been efficient in small groups. The ideal way to reduce drug abuse in the country is for community leaders and parents to take a proactive drug abuse prevention approach.
That is composed of distinguishing risk factors for the signs of abuse. The typical risk factor for addiction are the following:
- Environment
- Parental substance abuse
- Poverty
- Mental illness
- Poor education
Below are the common signs of substance abuse:
- Unexplained money spending
- Behavioral changes
- Ignored appearance
- Physical health problems
- Problems at work or school
Mostly, the prevention of drug use starts at school and at home. Parents must lead by example, and educators should be meticulous in talking about substance abuse risks. Seeking drug-free pain management options apart from healthy ways to handle stress would go a long way in diminishing drug use.
Unluckily, drug addiction, and substance abuse are unavoidable in all society. Many factors, such as youth rebelliousness and natural curiosity, will make people experiment with drugs. In other scenarios, that experimentation develops to abuse and, later, addiction.
It’s time that you talk to a specialist to help with your battle with drug addiction. Remember that you are not alone in this process. Allow the professionals to help you.