Addiction Treatment is a booming business. If we made those creating drugs responsible for the devastating effects from the outset I am sure we would have a much more positive scene with addiction and its treatment from the outset. Every drug out there causing problems today was created by Big Pharma, possibly for the benefit of man, and then exploited by the Western Medical Practices.
Now this may seem to be a bold statement, it's far from isolated. Addiction and addiction treatment have long been a source of income for many. It would be hard for anyone to believe that those who stand on the front lines, in treatment centers throughout the country, actually realize what part they are playing for those that stand to profit as they those same people really have the honest intention of helping those that struggle with substance abuse, and need alcohol or drug addiction treatment.
If those that stood to profit from the sale of drugs or alcohol were held responsible for the devastating results created by the irresponsibility of those that distribute or consume their products, the results would be dramatically shifted to a more positive end.
If you study the drug abuse trends and addiction treatment admissions throughout the U.S they surprisingly maintained a somewhat steady rate, although there have been regional shifts in substance abuse admissions that have created a stir.
Between the years 1998 to 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 addiction treatment admissions declined during this time treatment admissions for illicit drug abuse and addiction treatment were rising. Not to our surprise however, Treatment admissions in every region showed increases for marijuana having risen 30 percent across the board. This statistic coincides with more and more states legalizing marijuana during this time.
Opioid pain killer treatment admissions rose an alarming 345 percent throughout the country in every region. 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. Additionally many doctors have been convicted of felony drug distribution, conspiracy and money laundering, or under investigation.
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.
This same 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.
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 obviously forecast the future of addiction treatment and admissions. Experts take this information and it would seem attempt to curb some of the future problems, but it is the opinion of this author, those that stand to profit, can, and will know where to invest their time and energy.
For example, 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.
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About the Author
R Otis II is an addiction treatment professional and contributing editor to Addiction Treatment Watch a website built to provide resources to people looking for Addiction Treatment programs.
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