The document discusses the addiction epidemic in the United States. It notes that in 2013, over 21 million Americans aged 12 or older were dependent on or abused substances. Genetic and environmental factors can increase addiction risk. Most people first use drugs as teenagers, with over 2.8 million new illicit drug users in 2012. Addiction hijacks the brain's reward system and relapse rates are high because many attempt sobriety alone without treatment. Professional treatment is crucial to help overcome addiction as a chronic disease.

1. OVERCOMING
THE ADDICTION EPIDEMIC
THE ADDICTION CYCLE
In 2013 an estimated 21.6 million persons aged 12 or older were
classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year.
Although anyone can become addicted to drugs, there are
several factors that can increase the risk of substance addiction:
2.6 million with
dependence or abuse of
both alcohol and illicit drugs
4.3 million with
dependence or abuse
of only illicit drugs
14.7 million with
dependence or abuse
of only alcohol
EXPOSURE
MISUSE
RELAPSE
ABUSE
CONSEQUENCES
BIOLOGY:
Scientists estimate that genetic factors
account for between 40 and 60 percent
of a person’s vulnerability to addiction.
PSYCHOLOGICAL:
High school students who
report having used
marijuana are more likely
than students who never
used marijuana to
experience symptoms of
depression.
EXPERIMENTATION:
Most people use drugs for the first
time when they are teenagers.
There were over 2.8 million initiates
of illicit drugs in 2012, or about
7,898 new users per day. Half (52%)
were under 18.
BRAIN REWARD (DOPAMINE) PATHWAYS
These braincircuits are important for natural rewards such as food, music, and sex.
Many drug addicts make frequent attempts at abstinence and living sober, but the
majority of these efforts are initiated independently. Instead, it is crucial that users
get professional treatment to help permanently overcome the disease of addiction.
Because addicts are often attempting sobriety on their own and not
getting the professional help they need, relapse rates are high.
In 2012, approximately 21.6 million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment
for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem. Just 2.3 million (10.8%) of those who
needed treatment received treatment at a specialty facility.
DRUGS OF ABUSE INCREASE DOPAMINE
Typically, dopamine increases in response to natural rewards such as food. When
cocaine is taken, dopamine increases are exaggerated, and communication is altered.
“GATEWAY” DRUGS CAN LEAD TO ADDICTION:
The vast majority of cocaine users (99.9%) began by first using a “gateway
drug” like marijuana, cigarettes or alcohol.
Of adults who previously used marijuana before the age of 15, 62 percent
went on to use cocaine at least once, 9 percent on to heroin, and 54 percent
on to the nonmedical use of prescription drugs.
DEVELOPMENT:
9 out of 10 people who meet the clinical
criteria for substance use disorders started
using before they turned 18.
1 in 4 Americans who began using any addictive substance before age 18 are now
addicted, compared to 1 in 25 Americans who started using at age 21 or older.
ENVIRONMENT:
46% of children (34.4
million) live in a household
where there is some form
of substance abuse.
Feel alone or isolated
used marijuana have not used marijuana
Often feel very sad or depressed
Think they will develop depression during their lifetime
26.7%19.9%
27.9%14%
41%25.4%
Likelihood to have smoked a cigarette
Marijuana users who began before age 15
Marijuana users who began after age 21
Likelihood to have misused prescription drugs
Likelihood to have misused other illicit drugs
93.3%86.4%
56.5%22.9%
70.2%27.8%
70.3% used marijuana
FIRST TIME DRUG USE:
20.6% used psychotherapeutics
6.3% used inhalants
2.6% used hallucinogens
56.4% to relax or relieve tension
53.5% to feel good or get high
52.4% to experiment-see what it's like
44.8% to relieve physical pain
29.5% to have a good time with friends
Motives of nonmedical use of prescription
opioids among high school seniors:
The average age of marijuana
initiates among high school students
in 2011 was 14.3 years old.
Dopamine Transporter
Dopamine Receptor
Dopamine
Cocaine
From Food From Cocaine
The DEA classifies drugs of abuse into five distinct categories, or schedules, rated
by the severity of the drug and the high potential it poses for addiction:
Youths aged 12 to 17 who had engaged in fighting or other delinquent
behaviors were found more likely than other youths to have used illicit
drugs in the past month.
In 2014, 70% of State and 64% of Federal prisoners regularly used
drugs prior to incarceration. 1 in 4 violent offenders in State prisons
committed their offenses while intoxicated.
DRUG DEPENDENCE OR ABUSE BY NUMBER OF PERSONS IN 2013:
SCHEDULE I substances have the highest potential for abuse or
dependence: Heroin, Marijuana, Ectsasy, LSD, and Methaqualone
are some examples.
SCHEDULE II drugs are defined as drugs with high potential for abuse
or dependence, but less than Schedule I. They are also considered
dangerous: Cocaine, Vicodin, OxyContin, Adderall, and Ritalin are
some common examples.
SCHEDULE III drugs have a moderate potential for abuse: Steroids
and ketamine are a couple examples.
SCHEDULE IV Xanax, Calium, Ambien.
SCHEDULE V Cough medicine, Lyrica, Lomotil.
Marijuana (4.2 million) Pain relievers (1.9 million) Cocaine (855,000)
ATTEMPTING SOBRIETY
ADDICTS ARE NOT GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED
OVERCOMING
THE ADDICTION CYCLE
WITH PROFESSIONAL DRUG TREATMENT
ALCOHOL IS
A FACTOR IN
40%
28%
of academic
problems and
of college
dropouts
A B C D F
DOES ALCOHOL AFFECT SCHOOL GRADES?
NUMBER OF DRINKS CONSUMED PER WEEK
SORTED BY SCHOOL LETTER GRADE
Type 1 Diabetes
PERCENTAGE OF PATIENTS WHO RELAPSE:
Drug Addiction
Hypertension
20 to 50%
40 to 60%
50 to 70%
Asthma
50 to 70%
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has
long recommended a minimum of 90 days
in a recovery program.
1-12 Months 1-3 Years 3-5 Years 5+ Years
36% 86%66%
Has most likely
conquered their
addiction.
CHANCES OF SUCCESSFUL ABSTINENCE OVER TIME:
Inpatient residential treatment
programs have completion
rates of up to 81%.
Nearly one-third of patients achieve abstinence
from their first attempt at recovery.
For more information on how to
overcome addiction please call Turning
Point at 877-581-1793 or send an email
to info@tpaddictiontreatment.com
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For the best chance of recovery, addiction should be treated as a chronic disease, with
ongoing and active management and treatment plans enacted.
Addiction is a Treatable Disease
the Cycle of Addiction