Drug Abuse Treatment Rates

As the year comes to a close and we reflect on the upsides and the downsides, from health care reform that helps millions of Americans get the help they need to oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico that dramatically changed the southern coast for years to come. Sadly, it seems like some problems that people deal with are getting better while others continue to get worse; there are solutions to people's problems with addiction, but, sadly it often takes a long time for people to realize that there is another way to live. Statistics give us a general idea about how problems people face evolve for better or worse with each year that passes. People admitted to treatment facilities for alcoholism seems to be dropping in certain areas around the country, but, that is not the case for illegal drugs and prescription narcotics as those rates continue to climb, especially, believe it or not, for marijuana abuse.

A report released by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), found:

• The overall rate of substance abuse admissions in the United States remained stable from 1998 to 2008, at about 770 admissions per 100,000 people.
• Admissions for alcohol use dropped by about 15 percent nationally, but stayed stable in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.
• Admission rates for marijuana use rose by 30 percent nationwide, and were highest in the eight states listed above and in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
• An earlier SAMHSA report revealed that admission rates for abuse of opiates other than heroin -- including some prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin -- rose by 345 percent from 1998-2008. The new report says admission rates for painkiller abuse rose in every part of the country and were highest in the New England states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont) and in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.
• The admission rate for treatment of methamphetamine abuse was 53 percent higher in 2008 than in 1998, although it's down from its peak in 2005.
• Admissions for cocaine abuse fell by 23 percent nationally.

This study provides insight into the regional nature of substance abuse by highlighting the shifting trends in the reasons for admission to substance abuse treatment," SAMHSA administrator Pamela S. Hyde said in an agency news release.

Source:
HealthDay

Celebrate A New Life's admissions staff wishes you a safe and healthy New Year.