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The Scope of Addiction Treatment in the U.S

Surprisingly the rate of addicts admitted to substance abuse and addiction treatment remained steady throughout the country, dramatic shifts of treatment admissions by region are of concerned to health officials. From 1998-2008 there were 770 addiction treatment admissions for every 100,000 people in United States. Alcohol, which is the primary drug of abuse, declined 15 percent but for the North Center western states remained the same.

While alcohol treatment admissions were declined treatment admissions for illicit drug abuse and addiction treatment were rising. Treatment admissions in every region showed increases for marijuana having risen 30 percent across the board. This aligns with more and more states legalizing marijuana during this time.

During that same time period treatment admissions for opioid pain killers rose an alarming 345 percent throughout the country in every region. The report can be seen here- http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k10/230/230PainRelvr2k10.cfm. About half the calls we receive are from opiate addicts seek in inpatient drug rehabs, many having became addicted from a prescription written after surgery or accident. There are more addicts coming right out of the doctor’s office today then heroin and cocaine combined.

Methamphetamine addiction treatment admissions were 53 percent higher in 2008 than in 1998, although the level has dropped significantly and consistently from its peak in 2005. Treatment admissions for meth addiction were significantly higher in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.  

The aforementioned report shows mixed results on heroin addiction. Overall heroin treatment admissions dropped, but rose significantly in several states. We predict these statistics as the number of addicts addicted prescription drugs will experience difficulty obtaining such and look to score heroin due to ease of availability. For those seeking treatment in Tennessee, opiate rates steadily increased from 1998-2005, so that by 2005, the rate was 18.2%, more than double the rate reported in 1998 (7.41%). 

In terms of cocaine the news was more encouraging — a 23 percent reduction in the cocaine treatment admission rate nationally over this period and decreases in every region of the country. The Middle Atlantic States had the highest levels of cocaine admission rates throughout this period. 

Studies like this basically predict the future of addiction treatment and admissions. You will see a rise in heroin and other opiate addictions over the coming years. Additionally as the long term effects of anti-depressants come to pass, even more drugs will be prescribed with many suffering with lack of hope for any real help. However many experts and policy maker will analyze these data, policy makers can hopefully provide better direction of the limited resources and meet the treatment needs of people living in states and communities.

Robert Otis is an addiction counselor experienced in the field of drug and alcohol addiction treatment and works to help educate people about the danger of substance abuse. He writes articles for on http://www.rehabtennessee.org about the drug problems and effective rehabilitation methods.

Heroin Addiction: Recovery Connection’s 24 Hour Helpline Can Help Refer You to the Right Addiction Treatment Center



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