Addiction Statistics | Drug & Substance Abuse Statistics

Substance Abuse disorders affect 13 % of the world’s population. This number has increased this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak has confined us to our homes and resulted in limited interactions and gatherings. This has led to a great impact on the mental health of millions. The majority of them worldwide are shifting their focus towards substance abuse which is leading to addictions like smoking, alcohol, and drugs. In an international survey, it was noted that the COVID19 pandemic has created a great impact on mental health. With the coronavirus pandemic, people have started giving importance to mental health which was earlier considered as “stigma.” Now, people are taking care of their mental health so that they don’t fall prey to addiction. 

Monitoring the future: Being future-ready for the next generation 

The shutdown of schools and colleges during the pandemic has increased the use of drugs which has resulted in addiction among the teens. The Monitoring The Future survey (MTF)  which is conducted between Feb to May has shown a sudden increase in levels of smoking, alcohol, and drug addiction among teens, high school students, and college-going students. This has impacted many people especially the youth in whom there is a high prevalence of addiction cropping up. Let’s not forget that the school was closed for the year 2020 -2021 which has resulted in mounting cases of addiction. 

A study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the Journal of Pediatrics 

A study has shown in the journal of Pediatrics marks increases in the consumption of drug overdoses and use involving stimulants which include cocaine in children and teens. The year 2020 has proposed many difficult outcomes related to mental health problems. 

Substance Abuse during the pandemic 

Substance abuse has led to many problems which will result in addiction. Substance abuse has a major impact not only on health but also on families and work life. The effect of drug addiction is cumulative and affects social, physical, mental, and public health problems. These include 

• Physical fights 
• Crime 
• Homicide 
• Suicide 
• Mental health problems 
• Teenage pregnancy 
• HIV and AIDS 
• Other STDs Sexually Transmitted Diseases 
• Domestic Violence 
• Child Abuse 
• Accidents and motor vehicles crash 

How can we calculate the drug addiction statistics worldwide?

There are various factors that are involved while analyzing the statistics of drug addiction. Collectively smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs kill 11.8 million people each year. The mortality rate increases with the severity and overdose of addiction. Smoking, alcohol and drug abuse is an important risk factor for early death. 11.4 million people die each year which results in premature and early death due to overuse of drugs. Over 350,000 die from overdoses of drugs each year. Substance abuse disorders are more common in men. More than half of the people who die because of alcohol or drug addiction are less than 50 years of age. To get the correct statistics, it is important to evaluate these factors:

• Type of drugs and substances used for addiction 
• The time period for which the drug is consumed: Long term and short term 
• Age of the addict 
• Comorbidities 
• Interaction with long term medications

These are the important factors based on which the analysis should be made for drug addiction statistics. 

The Global Burden of Disease study 

The Global Burden of Disease is a major study on causes and risk factors for death and disease published in the medical journal of The Lancet. The Global Burden of Disease study identifies and analyzes the correct pathway by taking two facts into consideration 

• Direct death caused by substance abuse disorder 
• Premature death results due to cause of drugs due to high-risk factors 

Substance Use Disorder 

Substance Use Disorder is also known as substance dependence as per the WHO International Classification Of Diseases includes alcohol and illicit drugs including opioids, cocaine, and cannabis. A definite diagnosis of dependence should be made only if three or more of the following have been present together or sometime during the year-

• A desire, craving, or sense of compulsion to take the substance 
• Difficulty in controlling power of substance use terms of onset, duration, frequency of substance use
• A psychological withdrawal state when the substance has been ceased or reduced
• Evidence of tolerance means increased doses of psychoactive substances 

Drug abuse on the high rise due to coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic is reported to cause a surge in the use of drugs due to the high rise in unemployment. This has created a great impact on the mental health of many people worldwide. To reduce the potentially harmful effects of drug addiction, many drug rehab centers have made a step forward to provide social support and the best standard comprehensive treatment options which are important to save someone’s life 

These worrisome trends have been brought to you in light by Veda Rehabilitation and Wellness to spread awareness among their readers. This would definitely help in the prevention of drug addiction with proper rehabilitation and care.