Facts on Adults and Alcohol/Drug Use

Facts on Adolescent and Alcohol/Drug Use

Facts on Relapse and Recovery

*In addition to the recent statistics listed throughout this page, you may find that the following websites contain current statistics regarding addiction and mental health:

http://www.casacolumbia.org/

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

http://www.nida.nih.gov/

http://www.samhsa.gov/

http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/

Facts on Adults and Alcohol/Drug Use

• In 2004, approximately 22.5 million Americans aged 12 or older needed treatment for substance abuse and addiction (alcohol or illicit drugs). Of these, only 3.8 million people received it.²
• 71% percent of illegal drug users are employed. ³
• Alcoholism causes 500 million lost workdays each year.²
• In adults 50 years and older, alcohol was the most frequently reported primary substance of abuse for all substance abuse treatment admissions. Of those admissions, 76% of the population were 65 and older.³
• Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. In 2003, more than 25 million Americans (over 10% of the population) used marijuana. ⁴

Facts on Adolescents and Alcohol/Drug Use

• SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that about 510,000 youth aged 12 to 17 (2%) used stimulants (including methamphetamines) non-medically in the past year in 2006. ⁶

• According to The National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2006 about 3.1 million persons aged 12 to 25 (5.3%) had reported using over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medication to get high for non-medical reasons, and nearly 1 million persons aged 12 to 25 (1.7%) had used an over-the-counter cough and cold medication to get high in the past year.⁶

• In a Monitoring the Future Study, 66.5% of high school seniors reported drinking alcohol and 31.5% reported using marijuana in the last 12 months.6

• Drug use during adolescence is linked to several adverse outcomes, such as poor academic performance, violence and depression.⁶

• Young people will consume an average of five alcoholic beverages prior to driving. ⁴

Facts on Relapse and Recovery

• Relapse rates for addictive diseases usually are in the range of 50% to 90%; however, these rates vary by definition of relapse, severity of addiction, which drug of addiction, length of treatment, and elapsed time from treatment discharge to assessment, as well as other factors. ⁵

• Alcohol/drug addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder.[5] Although craving has been implicated in the relapse process, its role is controversial in the literature. ⁷

• Studies show that women in treatment relapse less frequently than men, partly because women are more likely to engage in group counseling. ⁸

• Gender differences in relapse factors suggest that different relapse prevention strategies should be used between men and women. ⁹

• Precipitants to relapse can include anger, frustration, stress, positive emotional states, overconfidence, psychiatric co-morbidity, severity of addiction and social pressures in environment. ¹⁰

• Relapse rates from addiction (40 to 60%) can be compared to those suffering from other chronic illnesses such as Type I diabetes (30 - 50%), Hypertension (50-70%) and asthma (50 to 70%). Drug addiction should be treated like any other chronic illness, with relapse indicating the need for renewed intervention. ¹¹

• In recovery from addiction, it is important to change one's lifestyle to include maintaining abstinence; involving oneself in healthy relationships; getting good nutrition, rest and exercise; and working to resolve one's personal problems. ¹² This can be maintained by ongoing counseling sessions and 12-Step recovery programs.

• In a study of over 1,800 alcohol-dependent men and women (Schuckit, M.A. et al), abstainers were more likely than those who relapsed to have received treatment and to have attended Alcoholics, Narcotics, or Cocaine Anonymous meetings. ¹³

• A major outcomes study with 10,000 patients in both in-patient and outpatient treatment (Hoffman & Miller) found that 90% of patients attending AA meetings at least weekly and participating in aftercare for one year were able to abstain from the use of any alcohol at all during that year. ¹⁴

• Addiction need not be a life sentence. Like other chronic diseases, it can be managed successfully. Treatment enables people to counteract addiction's powerful effects on the brain and behavior and regain control of their lives. ¹⁵