Drug abuse in America remains a major problem. But thanks to a raging pandemic, addiction is more common and dangerous than ever.
So what’s changed within the last year or so? Keep reading to find out about five of the most significant drug abuse trends we’re facing today.
Table of Contents
1. Alcohol Remains the Second Most Common Drug
Though this may be the least surprising of the drug trends on this list, alcohol continues its reign as one of the most commonly abused drugs in the country, only behind tobacco in terms of widespread use. As one might expect, the key reason for this is its availability.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, an estimated 10% of men and 5% of women in the U.S. struggle with alcohol abuse disorder.
What’s more, COVID-19 related lockdowns (more on that later) likely resulted in increased alcohol abuse.
2. Opioid Use Costs the U.S. Billions
Abuse of both prescribed and non-prescribed pharmaceutical opioids remains a major problem, resulting in thousands of fatal overdoses per year.
In addition, research from Pew shows just how damaging opioid usage can be to the economy. Their research shows that opioids are responsible for over $35 billion in healthcare costs, as well as nearly $15 billion in criminal justice costs.
3. COVID-19 Sparked a Surge in Overdoses
COVID-19 caused hardship and fear for everyone, but those struggling with substance abuse had a particularly rough go of it.
The CDC found that the number of overdose-related deaths reached an all-time high, with 81,000 deaths reported between May 2019 and May 2020.
So what was the most common cause of these overdoses? While you might think it’d be alcohol, opioids were the biggest culprit according to experts.
4. Rehab Remains a Viable Source of Long-Term Treatment
Reading up on drug trends can be depressing, but we promise it isn’t all bad news. Experts continue to remind the public that inpatient treatment at an addiction counseling center is still one of the best ways to achieve and maintain sobriety.
They also point out that there are a variety of treatment options available if inpatient treatment doesn’t fit an addict’s lifestyle. You can learn more about the other options, like outpatient and partial hospitalization, by following the link or contacting a local facility.
Plus, most insurance plans will cover at least a portion of addiction treatment.
5. Support for Marijuana Legalization Continues to Grow
Gallup Research shows that 68% of the country now supports the legalization of marijuana. This trend follows a number of states adopting legislature that either fully decriminalizes marijuana or decreases the penalties associated with pot-related arrests.
Young people between the ages of 18-29 remain the biggest supports of legalization, with 79% of the demographic saying they’re in favor of it.
Drug Abuse in America: What to Know
Ultimately, drug abuse is more of a concern than ever. However, an increased focus on mental health and continued research supporting addiction treatment serve as a silver lining in this cloudy sky.
If you or someone you know struggles with addiction, reach out today.
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