Studies Show Increase in Prescription Drug Addiction, Alcohol and Marijuana
Government reports lag behind what those in the addiction treatment field already know. Most substance abuse treatment counselors know what is going on with addiction and drugs of abuse long before scientific studies costing hundreds of thousands are published. Prescription drugs treatment admissions have been on a sharp incline over the last decade and although this has been in known in the treatment field it is now substantiated by the recent reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.
Alcohol treatment admissions had declined up to 2005, but have since starting climbing and accounting for the majority of the addicts entering alcohol rehab centers. Addicts entering treatment for marijuana addiction are also on the rise, with states with relaxed medical marijuana law experiencing as much as 30% increase.
The study indicated out of a 96% total that out of the 2 million admissions to treatment facilities in 2009 46 % were admitted for alcohol, 21 % for opiates and 18 % for marijuana. Cocaine and methamphetamine rounded out the bottom at 9% and 6% respectively. Although mental health professionals in many states have seen decreases in some areas, the increases in prescription drugs, alcohol and marijuana has more than made up the difference and kept the treatment admissions at a steady increase.
For addicts entering treatment aged twelve and older prescription pain pill admissions rose 6% and accounted for 33% of the overall opiate treatment admissions, up from 8% in 1999. Many drug rehab counselors saw this coming and by watching overall trends in the medical fields and believe or not the stock market. This coupled with marijuana reform activists trends in drug addiction are easily foretold.
Oxycontin was introduced to the medical arena in 1996 and has killed untold thousands. Many experts claim Ocycontin and Hydrocodone addictions contribute to heroin abuse as those that become addicted to prescription pain killers move onto heroin because heroin is easier to obtain.
Other drugs prescribed for anxiety and mood swings have risen nearly 200% over the last decade as well. Just over 20,000 people sought treatment for addictions to Xanax and Klonopin in 1998. Over 60,000 people asked for help with these drugs in 2008. Additionally DrugFree.org reports that 7000 kids try a prescription drug each day and experts predict 1 in 5 will become addicted. Often this leads to more drugs prescribed as a means of treatment which can lead to further problems.
Robert Otis is an addiction counselor experienced in the field of drug and alcohol addiction treatment and works to help educate people about the danger of substance abuse. He writes articles about addiction and San Jose Drug Rehab Centers.
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