Addiction: Small Percentage of Drug Users Dependent One Year After First Use
Contrary to popular drug policy discourses that portray drug users as descending from first use into a hell of dependence and addiction, a new analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) suggests that most first-time users of most drugs were not using them a year later and that for nearly all illicit drugs, more than 90% of first-time users did not become dependent.
The research report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that only 1% of first-time users of inhalants and tranquilizers were dependent a year later. For hallucinogens and sedatives, the figure was 2%; for pain relievers and alcohol, 3%. The drug with the highest number of dependent users a year after first use was heroin (13%), followed by crack cocaine (9%), marijuana (6%), stimulants (5%), and powder cocaine (4%).
When it came to any use of the drug within a year after first use, only alcohol and marijuana broke the 50% barrier, with 71% and 52%, respectively. Less than 20% of first-time heroin or crack users were still using after a year without being considered dependent, while slightly more than one-third of stimulant and powder cocaine users were.
Such data may not fit some popular narratives about drug use -- particularly the widely-held notion that methamphetamine is "more addictive" than other substances -- but that's what the numbers say.
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redditTranquilizer addiction
Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 6:45amA tranquilizer is illegal for producing or sold in many countries but it arrives through smuggling. Tranquilizer is addictive drug. Those who take this drug regularly may produce withdrawal symptoms like, shock, derealization, delirium, convulsions, and cardiovascular distress. Tranquilizer rehabs centers gives an effective management for these types of problems.
http://www.drugrehabscenters.com/substanceabuse/Tranquilizers/index.html
Abusing n2o
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/12/2008 - 12:11pmI've been a high school counselor for a few years now and I've noticed a steady climb in the number of inhalant users at our particular school. I have talked to a few repeat violators and most of them admit getting them from their older friends who have been ordering these whip cream chargers online at a bulk price in order to resell them. It sounds awful but it's a new digital age and those same kids could be buying cigarettes or even more harmful substances off the net such as salvia. Luckily the county is trying to pass a law against the purchase of these n2o chargers and other legal highs so that we can contain this problem and keep our kids safe.
Inhalant Treatment
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 7:27amAnyone experiencing an inhalant dependency needs immediate addiction treatment. The irreversible physical damage of chronic abuse demands a strong response, and most inhalant abusers will require addiction treatments to learn how to live drug free. Inhalant addiction treatments options include residential care, such as therapeutic wilderness programs, therapeutic boarding schools or residential rehabs, or outpatient options.
http://www.addiction-treatments.com/
Drug Addiction Treatment
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/15/2009 - 5:21amThe 12 steps drug treatment programs are based on conventional religious practices. Respect for all religious traditions is expected in these programs. While a few individual meetings may show a tendency toward a specific religion, this is not in the spirit of true 12-step recovery. You should have no problem finding meetings and groups that respect all religious traditions and do not push any particular theology or belief system.
http://www.drugrehabscenters.com
Drug Abuse Treatment
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 6:36amDrug abuse is dangerous, not only for individuals but for the entire society. Therefore, one must look beyond statistics and data. Even if a small percentage of drug is abused by even smaller percentage of people, it will still be dangerous. However, it’s good to read some different views on this. Cheers!
I can only be glad to hear
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/19/2009 - 3:27pmI can only be glad to hear about this but I have reasons to be skeptical about the results of this research. I work as a counselor at Cliffside and people that go there for treatment are drug users for many years. Aside from that there are countless pessimistic statistics, why would I trust this research? What makes it better than those I am familiar with?
How....?
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 8:11amHello...
I just wonder with your articles...
The data seems to be a critical one...
I see this article is raising a big warning alarm...
Nice job....
Thanks for your valuable info....
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Alex
Connecticut Alcohol Addiction Treatment