Learning About Addictions
Why is it so difficult for someone to stop drinking or using drugs?
The Big Book of AA accurately describes the spiritual dilemma of alcoholism. Note we are NOT describing the alcoholic or addict but rather the disease itself:
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Cunning
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Quick facts about Addictions
- A typical treatment center in 1995 would have 80% of the patients in the age group of 40 to 60 years of age. Today we have an epidemic within our younger people. Prescription drugs are the new “dealer”. Once the kids have run out of the prescription drugs they turn to the street drugs- heroine. Now, in 2009, you will see in treatment programs the ages flipped around to 80% are 18 to 25 yrs old.
- One of every eight Americans has a significant problem with alcohol or drugs, with 40 percent of the group having a "dual diagnosis," or concurrent mental/nervous disorder.
- Approximately 27 million Americans either use illicit drugs regularly or are "heavy drinkers." Of these almost 16 million are estimated to need immediate treatment.
- By age eighteen, almost 12 percent of all young people are illicit drug users.
- An untreated alcoholic's medical costs are approximately 300 percent higher than non-alcoholic's medical costs.
- Approximately 70 percent of illegal drug users are employed and contribute significantly to workplace absenteeism, accidents and injuries, decreased productivity, increased insurance expenses, employee turnover costs and on-the-job violence.
- The estimated annual direct cost to our society resulting from substance abuse is more than 250 billion dollars.
- It is generally accepted that chemical dependency, along with associated mental health disorders, has become one of the most severe health and social problems facing the United States.*
* Source: SAMHSA (U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
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