Drug addiction is serious business. There is more to it than what anybody will share in an interview, book or in a movie. The fact is that drug abuse has become so prevalent in today’s society that most of us are able to spot someone suffering from a drug addiction and then shrug it off as if we hadn’t seen anything at all. Perhaps this is why so many addicts suffer without seeking help. It’s easy to think that your own community is insulated from things like drug abuse. The truth is that even the most picture perfect town has people living within its borders who are addicted to drugs.
In Delray Beach, Florida, there are many drug treatment centers that are available to those who are struggling with addictions to drugs and alcohol. These drug rehab programs can include both inpatient drug rehabilitation programs and outpatient drug rehabilitation services. They typically range from thirty days to ninety days depending on the depth of individuals struggles. Some alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs offer a faith-based treatment program to those clients who prefer to work the twelve steps and study scriptures in a safe and secure environment.
There are some who will scoff and say that the drug problems of the United States are exaggerated and that the problems people see on television or in the newspaper are trumped up to gain the attention of the viewer/reader. It might surprise you then to read some of the following statistics that were provided to us by the White House’s drug policy website.
In 2001 almost thirty percent of kids between the ages of twelve and seventeen reported using drugs.
That same year more than half of respondents between the ages of eighteen and twenty five reported recent drug use.
In a study done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the following drug statistics were discovered:
In 2004 More than nineteen million Americans over the age of twelve were currently using drugs-including harder and illicit drugs.
There were more than sixteen million adult Americans (over the age of eighteen) using illicit drugs.
In 2004, almost twenty three million Americans had dependency problems with drugs. About an eighth of these abused alcohol and drugs and half of the total number of users abused alcohol but did not have abuse problems with illicit drugs.
Finally, consider the following statistics from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health done by the Office of Applied Studies at the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
In 2007 almost twenty percent of adults over eighteen that were polled admitted to using illicit drugs within a month of the poll taking place. Marijuana was the second highest drug used in this poll and came in at just over sixteen percent of users polled.
This same survey found that males were more likely to abuse illicit drugs and marijuana while all other drugs were about even with both genders.
Because drug abuse is so common in our society the staff and experts many of the drug rehabs will not be surprised or shocked when you place your first call to begin your drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation treatments. Instead you will find an environment that welcomes clients who want to get sober and will be surrounded by people who are in the same boat as you are. The trained staff members in drug rehabs understand that drug use is not this shadowy “thing” that “other people” do. Drug use can affect anybody, no matter what age he or she might be.
Statistically speaking, most adult Americans have tried some type of drug at least once or twice in their lives. The residents of Delray Beach are no different from the rest of the country. This is why it is important for drug addicts to realize that there is no shame in seeking help. The statistics regarding teenage and young adult drug use are startling so if you think that you or someone that you care about might have a drug or alcohol addiction problem, you should make an appointment at a drug and alcohol treatment center. The experts there can help explain that drug use isn’t anything to be ashamed of and that it can be overcome.
