This week is National Drug & Alcohol Facts week and a good time to make everyone aware of how common addiction is! Addiction is more common than many realize. There were approximately 20.6 million people in the United States over the age of 12 with an addiction in 2011.
Although most people don’t get the treatment they need, over 3 million people in 2011 received treatment for their addiction. Learn more about your treatment options today.
- Over 20 million Americans over the age of 12 have an addiction (excluding tobacco).
- 100 people die every day from drug overdoses. This rate has tripled in the past 20 years.
- Over 5 million emergency room visits in 2011 were drug related.
- 2.6 million people with addictions have a dependence on both alcohol and illicit drugs.
- 9.4 million people in 2011 reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs.
- 6.8 million people with an addiction have a mental illness.
- Rates of illicit drug use is highest among those aged 18 to 25.
- Over 90% of those with an addiction began drinking, smoking or using illicit drugs before the age of 18.
Alcohol Statistics
Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions affecting Americans. It also an addiction that goes untreated in many cases because of the legality of the substance. However, the recorded rates of alcoholism are decreasing (18.1 million people in 2002 to 16.7 million in 2011), but the addiction is still a cause for concern. Find out more about your alcohol treatment and recovery options.
- Binge drinking is more common in men; 9.1% of men 12 and older reported heavy drinking 5 or more days in a month, while 2.6% of women reported this.
- Over 11% of Americans have driven under the influence.
- Out of 16.6 million people with alcoholism, 2.6 million were also dependent on an illicit substance.
- It is estimated that over 95% of those who need treatment for alcoholism do not feel they need treatment.
- More people receive treatment for alcohol than any other substance.
- Over 30% of those who received treatment in 2011 reported using public or private health insurance to pay for treatment.
Tobacco and Nicotine Statistics
Tobacco products have the highest rates for dependence. There are several factors that contribute to this, such as availability. There are more resources than ever to help you quit. Learn more about kicking your tobacco habit.
- Tobacco-related costs for the United States is over $190 billion (healthcare costs, loss of productivity, etc.)
- The rate of illicit drug use was 9.5 times higher in 2011 for teens who smoked cigarettes than those who didn’t.
- Tobacco causes more deaths each year than all other substance abuse related deaths combined.
- Tobacco users in general are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. Over 40% of cigarette smokers reported binge drinking in 2011.
- The rates of pack-a-day smokers among those aged 18 to 25 has decreased by over 13% since 2002.
Marijuana Statistics
The rates of marijuana use are mostly responsible for the increase in the use of illicit drugs in the United States over the past years. Learn more about marijuana dependence and your treatment options.
- Marijuana is the most common illicit drug used for the first time. Approximately 7,000 people try marijuana for the first time every day.
- Out of 2.6 million people who tried marijuana for the first time, over half were under the age of 18.
- The majority of youths aged 12 to 17 do not perceive a great risk from smoking marijuana.
- Marijuana had the highest rates of dependence out of all illicit substances in 2011.
Source: https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-statistics/