How Many Americans Suffer From Drug Addiction?
Addiction is a physical dependency on a drug. Failure to ingest the addictive substance within a standard interval of time will lead to negative physical reactions (withdrawal). Reactions include cold sweats, heavy breathing, elevated heart rate, tense muscles, headache, vomiting, nauseousness and in extreme withdrawal, disorientation and hallucination.
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Physical
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Cigarettes top the charts in addictive quality. Heroin is usually tied or a close second. The most physically addictive substances are: nicotine, caffeine, heroin, cocaine, alcohol, meth-amphetamine (crystal meth), crack-cocaine, pain relievers like OxyContin, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives.
Mental
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Hallucengiens have always been controversial, especially when discussed in religious ceremony. The least physically addictive substances are marijuana, hash, LSD, Psilocybin and other psychotropic drugs.
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Statistics
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Addiction leads to death, and legal drugs have been found to be bigger killers than items found on the black market. A 2008 government survey reveals that approximately 47 percent of Americans "binge" drink, or drink heavily. Thirty percent of Americans are addicted to nicotine. Alcohol and nicotine are attributed to more deaths per year than deaths related to most illegal drugs, combined, each year.
Facts
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At least half of all Americans have tried marijuana. 85% percent of drug convictions are non-violent mariujana users. As of 2008, all Americans, at some point in their lifetimes:
47.0 percent have used marijuana or hashish.
20.8 percent have used prescriptions for non-medical purposes.
14.7 percent have used cocaine.
14.4 percent have used hallucinogens.
3.4 percent have used crack.
1.5 percent have used heroin.
Controversy
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Despite billions spent on the "drug war," purity, availability, and quantity of illegal drugs have all increased. The "drug war," is attributed to president Richard Nixon. Illegality of certain drugs has created a black market without control or regulation, similar to prohibition. Advocates for decriminalization and regulation of drugs point to the success of such programs in the Netherlands and Switzerland, and the failure of prohibition.
Help
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Qualified individuals and programs can take the sting out of withdrawal from addiction. Most major metropolitan areas offer rehab clinics and drug abuse centers for those seeking support, or want to get support for someone else.
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References
Resources
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