January 18, 2023
Understand the rates of addiction in the US when you read this article.
People know what addiction is and that it’s a societal problem. Unfortunately, only a few truly understand what kind of societal problem it is and how it affects the individual.
For the rates of addiction, specifically, readers can’t fully grasp the meaning of the numbers. If they do, they only partially understand them. Most of the time, they accept the information as is, not knowing the reason behind the data.
If you were to look behind the figures, it would simply translate to how it’s affecting the people, the addicts.
And that’s where this article comes into play. We aim to help you better understand what these numbers actually mean and how they are significant to the problem that is addiction.
In the United States alone, about 21 million people struggle with at least one addiction. Moreover, about 10% of adults have had a substance use disorder, or SUD, at some point in their lives.
The number of addicts in the country is high because there are a plethora of reasons people turn to drugs. It could be because:
Moreover, It’s so easy to get hooked on drugs, but it’s very difficult to get off them.
Alcohol is, by far, the most commonly abused substance in the US. As of 2020, about 10.2% or 28.3 million people at least 12 years old reported struggling with an alcohol use disorder or AUD.
Not only is it legal, but it’s considered normal to have a few drinks, making alcoholism hard to identify. Many believe alcohol should be present during celebrations or that a drink at the end of the day is necessary to wind down.
With that, people have become dependent on alcohol, particularly those turning to it to manage a mental health disorder.
Below are the most commonly abused drugs and their addiction rates as of 2020.
Second to alcohol, nicotine is the most common substance abused, with 8.5% or 23.6 million people reported struggling with nicotine addiction.
Compared to most of the substances on the list, addiction to nicotine doesn’t appear to be as harmful, or so it may seem. The worst side effects only start to develop after long-term use. Like alcohol, this substance is legal and easy to get.
Because of the lack of restrictions and seemingly few health concerns, people take in nicotine. The most common source of it comes from smoking cigarettes. Many turn to this habit to relieve stress or because of peer pressure.
About 5.1% or 14.2 million people at least 12 years old had marijuana use disorder.
Recently, more and more states legalized marijuana use, making it more socially acceptable and accessible. There have also been many studies showing its benefits to health-- treating serious illnesses, in some cases.
Unfortunately, these factors lead to the skyrocketing of marijuana addiction rates. Although it can be taken for medical purposes, there is still a significant risk for addiction.
Around 1.1% or 2.7 million aged 12 and older had an opioid use disorder.
Opioids are some of the most potent painkillers available. So, the most common way people obtain these is through a prescription. It’s a rare occurrence to come from strangers or dealers.
Medications like fentanyl, Codeine, Vicodin, and OxyContin are prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. If you follow your physician's instructions, you’ll be able to manage the main and not develop an addiction.
However, many misuse and abuse these medications, especially during long-term use. They may develop a tolerance, requiring them to up the dosage and take it more frequently to get the desired effect. From this, it can lead to an addiction to opioids.
Around 0.9% or 2.4 million people had an addiction to inhalants.
Although it’s not one you hear every day, inhalants are one of the most common substances people get addicted to. This may be because it can be found in the most common household, medical, or industrial supplies.
People inhale the vapors to get high or intoxicated. This type of addiction is particularly dangerous because they are volatile toxic substances. Not only that, but they can have intense effects and immediate consequences, such as hospitalization or even death.
Approximately 0.5% or 1.3 million Americans at least 12 years old reported having a cocaine addiction.
While cocaine addiction rates continue to drop, it’s still a major public health threat and among the most abused substances. Crack cocaine is cheaper and gives more intense effects than cocaine, making it responsible for addiction and ruining lives.
Around 0.3% or 902,000 of Americans struggled with heroin addiction.
While cocaine addiction rates are declining, heroin use is increasing. Some people are even lacing heroin with other illicit drugs to make its effects more intense.
And because of the severe withdrawal symptoms, beating heroin addiction is more difficult.
Roughly 0.2% or 500,000 people aged 12 and older had a stimulant use disorder.
Stimulants make you feel more alert and awake, speeding up your body’s systems. These can range from prescription medications, like Adderall and Ritalin, to more illicit drugs, like meth.
Not only are these highly addictive, but their intense withdrawal symptoms make quitting that more difficult.
Almost 2% or 5 million people who were prescribed benzodiazepines, or benzos, misused them. And of that number, about 0.2% or 500,000 of them had a benzo use disorder.
Benzos, such as Valium and Xanax, are typically prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, stress, and sleep disorders.
People will only realize how dependent or addicted they are to these when they find out that they can’t function with the substance in their system.
Similar to opioids, stimulants and benzos are prescription medications. So, people who usually get addicted to these develop a tolerance and need more of the substance.
Addiction in the US continues to be a societal problem. While we don’t have all the answers to solve it, a better understanding of the rates of addiction in the country may help manage it. Now that we see the causes, we can work on finding solutions.
While the rates of addiction may be skyrocketing today, that doesn’t mean we can’t flatten the curve. Start your healing and turn to Another Chance Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center of Portland. You can visit us at 12670 NW Barnes Rd Suite 200, Portland, OR 97229. You may also contact us at 971-269-8124.
Disclaimer: This post serves a strictly educational use. It does not reflect the services, products, or therapeutic approaches of this establishment or its healthcare practitioners. This blog aims not to advertise the products, services, or therapeutic approaches of any other establishment that may be associated with this site. On the subject of safe or legal services, products, and appropriate therapies, recommendations ought to be given by a qualified professional on a case-to-case basis.
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