Drug Abuse

The statistics and facts are staggering. Billions of dollars in lost wages, health problems, crime, violence, injuries, the list is endless.

Many of America's top social economical and heath problems relate directly to drug abuse. Families are destroyed by drug abuse and addiction. Everybody knows someone who is affected by drug abuse.

Drug and Drug Abuse Triggers Health Issues

Drug abuse is a major public health problem impacting society on multiple levels. Drug abuse affects everyone. Drug abuse impacts the individual, family, and community. Many of America's top social economical and heath problems relate directly to drug abuse. Families are destroyed by drug abuse and addiction. Almost everyone knows someone who is affected by drug abuse.

Drug use and Drug Abuse is an epidemic in the US

Drug abuse shares many features with other chronic illnesses, including a tendency to run in families. It is influenced by environmental conditions and behavior. Drug abuse, like heart disease, cancers, and type II diabetes, is a real and complex disease. Drug Abuse can cause cardiovascular disease and change biology. No one chooses to be a drug addict or to develop heart disease. Sometimes people do choose behaviors that have undesirable effects. Personal responsibility and behavioral change are major components of any credible drug abuse treatment program.

Drug and Drug Abuse is a Chronic Disease

Drug Abuse is a chronic disease. The costs of drug abuse are as substantial as that of other chronic conditions such as diabetes and cancer. Drug abuse and addiction is a chronic disease similar to other chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Imaging studies have shown evidence of tissue malfunction in the brains of those with drug abuse and in the hearts of people with heart disease.

Evidence from adoption and twin studies demonstrate that drug abuse, like other chronic diseases, is a heritable disorder and that genes play a role in vulnerability to addiction. Genes can also play a role in protecting individuals from addiction. As with all complex diseases, environmental risk and protective factors interact with genetics to determine the course and outcome of disease.

The Cost of Drug Use and Drug Abuse

Drug abuse and addiction costs the U.S. more than $484 billion per year. This includes health care expenditures, lost earnings, and costs associated with crime and accidents. This is an enormous burden that affects all of society. These can include illness, injuries, and death. Each year approximately 40 million debilitating illnesses or injuries occur among Americans as the result of their use of tobacco, alcohol, or another addictive drug.

Drug abuse is a major public health problem that impacts society on multiple levels. Directly or indirectly, every community is affected by drug abuse and addiction, as is every family. Drugs take a tremendous toll on our society at many levels.

Drug Use and Drug Abuse is Very Costly

The Costs of Drug Use and Drug Abuse are as Substantial as that of other Chronic Conditions

Diabetes costs society $131.7 billion annually

Cancer costs society $171.6 billion annually

This includes health care expenditures, lost earnings, and costs associated with crime and accidents. This is an enormous burden that affects all of society - those who abuse these substances, and those who don't.

Drug Use and Drug Abuse is a Major Public Health Problem

Drugging and Driving: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drugs are used by approximately 10 to 22 percent of drivers involved in crashes, often in combination with alcohol. Violence: At least half of the individuals arrested for major crimes including homicide, theft, and assault were under the influence of illicit drugs around the time of their arrest. Stress: Exposure to stress is one of the most powerful triggers of substance abuse in vulnerable individuals and of relapse in former addicts. Child Abuse: At least two-thirds of patients in drug abuse treatment centers say they were physically or sexually abused as children.

Drug Abuse is a Major Public Health Problem

Drug abuse impacts the individual, family, and community. Everybody knows someone who is affected by drug abuse.

Individual:

• Adolescence: This is a time period of high vulnerability to drug abuse and other risk taking behaviors.
  
  
• Mental Illness: People with mental illness are particularly at risk for problems related to substance abuse.
  
  
• Consequences of Substance Abuse: These can include illness, injuries, and death. Each year approximately 40 million debilitating illnesses or injuries occur among Americans as the result of their use of tobacco, alcohol, or another addictive drug.
  
  
• Deaths: In 2000, approximately 460,000 deaths were attributable to illicit drug abuse and smoking.

Families are destroyed by drug addiction:

• Prenatal:
  
  
  • Smoking: Infants born to women who smoke during pregnancy have a lower average birth weight and may be at increased risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, and childhood obesity.
    
    
  • Cocaine: Babies born to mothers who abuse cocaine during pregnancy can be born prematurely and have low birth weights. There may be as many as 45,000 cocaine-exposed babies per year
    
    
• Child Abuse: Approximately 50% to 80% of all child abuse and neglect cases substantiated by child protective services involve some degree of substance abuse by the child’s parents.

Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction Affects Us All

Community

• Homelessness: 31% of America's homeless suffer from drug abuse or alcoholism.
  
  
• Crime: As many as 60% of adults in Federal prisons are there for drug-related crimes.
  
  
• Education: Children with prenatal cocaine exposure are more likely (1.5 times) to need special education services in school. Special education costs for this population are estimated at $23 million per year
  
  
• The Workplace: In 1997, illicit drug users were more likely than others to have missed 2 or more days of work in the past month and to have worked for three or more employers in the past year

Common Drugs of Drug Abuse

Club Drugs

Brief Description:	Typically used by teenagers and young adults at bars, clubs, concerts, and parties. The most common club drugs include Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, Rohypnol, ketamine, methamphetamine, and acid (LSD).
Street Names:	XTC, X (MDMA); Special K, Vitamin K (ketamine); liquid ecstasy, soap (GHB); roofies (Rohypnol).
Effects:	Chronic use of MDMA may lead to changes in brain function. GHB abuse can cause coma and seizures. High doses of ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, and other problems. Mixed with alcohol, Rohypnol can incapacitate users and cause amnesia.
Statistics and Trends:	The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 0.7% of 8th graders, 0.7% of 10th graders, and 1.0% of 12th graders had abused Rohypnol; 0.7% of 8th graders, 0.6% of 10th graders, and 0.9% of 12th graders had abused GHB; and 1.0% of 8th graders, 0.8% of 10th graders, and 1.3% of 12th graders had abused ketamine at least once in the year prior to their being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/

Cocaine

Brief Description:	A powerfully addictive drug that is snorted, sniffed, injected, or smoked. Crack is cocaine that has been processed from cocaine hydrochloride to a free base for smoking.
Street Names:	Coke, snow, flake, blow, and many others.
Effects:	A powerfully addictive drug, cocaine usually makes the user feel euphoric and energetic. Common health effects include heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, and seizures. Large amounts can cause bizarre and violent behavior. In rare cases, sudden death can occur on the first use of cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter.
Statistics and Trends:	In 2006, 6 million Americans age 12 and older had abused cocaine in any form and 1.5 million had abused crack at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 2.0% of 8th graders, 3.4% of 10th graders, and 5.2% of 12th graders had abused cocaine in any form and 1.3% of 8th graders, 1.3% of 10th graders, and 1.9% of 12th graders had abused crack at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

Ecstasy/MDMA

Brief Description:	A drug that has stimulant and psychodelic properties. It is taken orally as a capsule or tablet.
Street Names:	XTC, X, Adam, hug, beans, love drug.
Effects:	Short-term effects include feelings of mental stimulation, emotional warmth, enhanced sensory perception, and increased physical energy. Adverse health effects can include nausea, chills, sweating, teeth clenching, muscle cramping, and blurred vision.
Statistics and Trends:	In 2006, 2.1 million Americans age 12 and older had abused MDMA at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 1.5% of 8th graders, 3.5% of 10th graders, and 4.5% of 12th graders had abused MDMA at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

Heroin

Brief Description:	An addictive drug that is processed from morphine and usually appears as a white or brown powder.
Street Names:	Smack, H, ska, junk, and many others.
Effects:	Short-term effects include a surge of euphoria followed by alternately wakeful and drowsy states and cloudy mental functioning. Associated with fatal overdose and- particularly in users who inject the drug-infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
Statistics and Trends:	In 2006, 560,000 Americans age 12 and older had abused heroin at least once in the year prior to being esurveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 0.8% of 8th graders, 0.8% of 10th graders, and 0.9% of 12th graders had abused heroin at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

Inhalants

Brief Description:	Breathable chemical vapors that users intentionally inhale because of the chemicals' mind-altering effects. The substances inhaled are often common household products that contain volatile solvents or aerosols.
Street Names:	Whippets, poppers, snappers.
Effects:	Most inhalants produce a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication. If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce a loss of sensation, and even unconsciousness.
Statistics and Trends:	The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 8.3% of 8th graders, 6.6% of 10th graders, and 3.7% of 12th graders had abused inhalants at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

• Marijuana

Brief Description:	The most commonly used illegal drug in the U.S. The main active chemical is THC.
Street Names:	Pot, ganga, weed, grass, and many others.
Effects:	Short-term effects include memory and learning problems, distorted perception, and difficulty thinking and solving problems.
Statistics and Trends:	In 2006, 25 million Americans age 12 and older had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 10.3% of 8th graders, 24.6% of 10th graders, and 31.7% of 12th graders had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

Methamphetamine

Brief Description:	An addictive stimulant that is closely related to amphetamine, but has longer lasting and more toxic effects on the central nervous system. It has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
Street Names:	Speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, glass.
Effects:	Increases wakefulness and physical activity and decreases appetite. Chronic, long-term use can lead to psychotic behavior, hallucinations, and stroke.
Statistics and Trends:	In 2006, 1.9 million Americans age 12 and older had abused methamphetamine at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 1.1% of 8th graders, 1.6% of 10th graders, and 1.7% of 12th graders had abused methamphetamine at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

PCP/Phencyclidine

Brief Description:	Illegally manufactured in labs and sold as tablets, capsules, or colored powder. It can be snorted, smoked, or eaten. Developed in the 1950s as an IV anesthetic, PCP was never approved for human use because of problems during clinical studies, including intensely negative psychological effects.
Street Names:	Angel dust, ozone, wack, rocket fuel, and many others.
Effects:	Many PCP users are brought to emergency rooms because of overdose or because of the drug's unpleasant psychological effects. In a hospital or detention setting, people high on PCP often become violent or suicidal.
Statistics and Trends:	In 2006, 187,000 Americans age 12 and older had abused PCP at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study does not measure PCP use among 8th and 10th graders but showed that 0.9% of 12th graders had abused PCP at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

Prescription Medications

Brief Description:	Prescription drugs that are abused or used for nonmedical reasons can alter brain activity and lead to dependence. Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (often prescribed to treat pain), central nervous system depressants (often prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (prescribed to treat narcolepsy, ADHD, and obesity).
Street Names:	Commonly used opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon), hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), and diphenoxylate (Lomotil). Common central nervous system depressants include barbiturates such as pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), and benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Stimulants include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin).
Effects:	Long-term use of opioids or central nervous system depressants can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Taken in high doses, stimulants can lead to compulsive use, paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, and irregular heartbeat.
Statistics and Trends:	In 2006, 16.2 million Americans age 12 and older had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 2.7% of 8th graders, 7.2% of 10th graders, and 9.6% of 12th graders had abused Vicodin and 1.8% of 8th graders, 3.9% of 10th graders, and 5.2% of 12th graders had abused OxyContin for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

Smoking/Nicotine

Brief Description:	One of the most heavily used addictive drugs in the U.S.
Effects:	Nicotine is highly addictive. The tar in cigarettes increases a smoker's risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchial disorders. The carbon monoxide in smoke increases the chance of cardiovascular diseases. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adults and greatly increases the risk of respiratory illnesses in children.
Statistics and Trends:	In 2006, nearly 73 million Americans age 12 and older had used a tobacco product at least once in the month prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 7.1% of 8th graders, 14.0% of 10th graders, and 21.6% of 12th graders had used cigarettes and 3.2% of 8th graders, 6.1% of 10th graders, and 6.6% of 12th graders had used smokeless tobacco at least once in the month prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

Steroids (Anabolic)

Brief Description:	Mostly synthetic substances similar to the male sex hormone testosterone. Some people, especially athletes, abuse anabolic steroids to enhance performance and appearance. Abuse of anabolic steroids can lead to serious health problems, some of which are irreversible..
Effects:	Major effects of steroid abuse can occur due to hormone imbalances in the body. In males, adverse effects may include shrinking of the testicles and breast development. In females, adverse effects may include growth of facial hair, menstrual changes, and deepened voice. In teenagers, growth may be halted prematurely and permanently. Other adverse effects can include severe acne, high blood pressure and jaundice. In some rare cases liver and kidney tumors or even cancer may develop.
Statistics and Trends:	The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 0.8% of 8th graders, 1.1% of 10th graders, and 1.4% of 12th graders had abused anabolic steroids at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

source

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.