Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Treatment Admissions for Prescription Drug Abuse Jumped 430 Percent in 10 Years

By Join Together Staff | December 12, 2011 | jointogether.org



Treatment admissions for prescription drug abuse rose 430 percent from 1999 to 2009, according to a new government report.

In the same period, the overall rate of admissions related to substance abuse stayed constant, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) found.

The biggest jumps in admissions for prescription drug abuse occurred in Maine, Vermont, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Arkansas, Rhode Island and West Virginia, the New York Daily News reports.

SAMHSA found admissions related to marijuana rose 33 percent over the 10-year period, while those for treatment to heroin, cocaine, and alcohol abuse declined. Admissions for methamphetamine/ amphetamine treatment increased between 1999 and 2005, and then decreased every year through 2009.

“While some aspects of substance abuse treatment admissions have changed, meeting the overall need remains an essential public health priority,” SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde said in a news release. “The increasing numbers of people entering treatment for prescription drug abuse is the latest indicator of the severity of the problem. Concerned family members or friends who think a substance abuse problem may exist should seek help. Treatment is effective and people recover.”

2 comments:

  1. There are many types of recreation users of known prescription drugs such as vicodin, or hydrocodone. People who are familiar with using these drugs to get an high or feel that light headedness, the laid back all is well feeling will let you into your secrets if you were to only ask them. Getting an overview of how and how much of each of the chemicals are used is very important. For some people substance use is a part of growing up and when they are unable to give it up, it becomes a part of their lives. The responsibility is then on the user to use the hundreds of known drugs with care to ensure that there are not detrimental situations arising from such usage. Recreational use of vicodin and other drugs should be done with responsibility.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post. I would like to share some mor information about the prescription drugs.

    ReplyDelete