Drug Abuse

"According to a U.S. study of treatment patients between 1993 and 2003, the number of people who are being treated for drug abuse who report that they began taking at least one drug before they were thirteen years old is increasing significantly."

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research has demonstrated that depression is a common cause of alcoholism as depressed individuals seek a way out of their problems or a relief from insomnia. Sadly, alcohol is itself a depressant, so the problem is only gradually compounded."

"There is no typical alcoholic or drug dependent person. You may be old or young; male or female; single, married, divorced, or living with someone; practice any religious observance or none; live in the country, city, or suburb; earn a lot or a little; come from any ethnic or racial background; and live any type of lifestyle."

"Research studies demonstrate that due to the fact that small amounts of alcohol from the mother can get into breast milk and passed on to the baby, and since excessive amounts of alcohol may impede the flow of milk from the breast, the March of Dimes strongly urges women to refrain from drinking alcohol while they are nursing."

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research demonstrates the fact that if you consume alcoholic beverages, it's important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. Answering these questions will take only a few minutes, and will generate personalized results based on your age, gender and drinking patterns."

"Random drug and Alcohol screening is used by many UK companies to deter the use or abuse of illegal drugs and / or Alcohol by employees within the workplace. There have been a large number of case studies to demonstrate how effective random screening is in reducing litigation, ill health, absenteeism, and accidents."

"In 1999, the average American drank 32 gallons of beer compared to 51 gallons of soft drinks, 24 gallons of milk, and 26 gallons of coffee."

"Research demonstrates that the short and long term consequences that arise from underage alcohol consumption are astonishing in their range and magnitude, affecting adolescents, the people around them, and society as a whole."

"Studies have shown that inpatient detoxification programs are more effective and longer lasting than outpatient detox programs. The important issue here, however, is the following: the more severe the alcohol-related withdrawal symptoms, the more likely that inpatient detox programs should be used."

"According to the substance abuse literature, prevention messages can make a positive difference. In a word, these messages can convey information to change people's attitudes about drug use and alcohol drinking behavior in a positive manner."

"Individuals who engage in alcohol and drub abuse, at least on some level, know it, and many times they may try to cut down. They may change from hard liquor to beer or from beer to wine. They may decide to drink or take drugs only after six o'clock or only on weekends. They may even move or change jobs. But the result is more of the same: more substance use."

"The findings of the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse and Addiction demonstrated that, while millions of Americans habitually drink alcohol, swallow prescription drugs, smoke pot, and snort cocaine, a number of drug users who meet or exceed the standards that indicate that they need professional treatment do not realize or accept the fact that they have a drug abuse problem."

"Since nothing can change what took place in the past, it is hoped that all of the state and federal prisoners who abused drugs and/or alcohol in the past have access to alcoholism and alcohol abuse programs as well as to substance abuse and addiction treatment while they are still in prison."

"The findings of the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse and Addiction demonstrated that, while millions of Americans habitually drink alcohol, swallow prescription drugs, smoke pot, and snort cocaine, a number of drug users who meet or exceed the standards that indicate that they need professional treatment do not realize or accept the fact that they have a drug abuse problem."

"Drug and alcohol abuse statistics reveal that more than 67% of the funding for drug and alcohol treatment programs comes from public sources. Private insurance pays for about 14% of these services and the patients pay for about 10%."

"As demonstrated by alcoholism statistics, approximately 14 million people in the United States are addicted to alcohol or engage in alcohol abuse."

"As a person continues to abuse drugs or alcohol, the brain adapts to the overwhelming surges in dopamine by producing less dopamine or by reducing the number of dopamine receptors in the reward circuit. As a result, dopamine's impact on the reward circuit is lessened, reducing the abuser's ability to enjoy the drugs or alcohol and the things that previously brought pleasure."

"Accepting the fact that help is needed for an alcohol problem may not be easy. But keep in mind that the sooner you get help, the better your chances for a successful recovery."

"An estimated 6.6 million American children under 18 live in households with at least one alcoholic parent."

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research shows that identifying and preventing alcohol abuse problems in youth necessitates different assessment, treatment, and screening methodologies than those that are employed for adults."

"The other family members can begin to recover whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. But it can't happen until somebody picks up the telephone and asks for help. There is hope and help out there."

"According to one study, approximately 17% of U.S. 8th-graders, 34% of 10th-graders, and 45% of 12th-graders report having consumed alcohol during the past month."

"With or without treatment, one fact is certain: the longer an individual abstains from alcohol, the more likely he or she will be able to stay sober and avoid the negative consequences of alcohol abuse."

"Among Americans age 60 or older, 10 percent of those in the community--and 40 percent of those in nursing homes--fulfill criteria for alcohol abuse."

"Do you fail to inform your doctor that you are a regular drinker? Do you mix alcohol with over-the-counter or prescription medicine, drink and drive, or operate machinery after drinking? Do you drink alcohol while you are in charge of the lives of others, especially small children? Are you pregnant or are trying to become pregnant and drink? If you answered any of these questions in the affirmative, you are taking risks with alcohol and more likely than not, you are a problem drinker."

"In the United States, a number of family-oriented interventions have been used to help prevent alcohol abuse. These interventions include the following: family preservation programs, family services, family therapy, family skills training programs, in-home family crisis services, and family education programs."

"According to U.S. research scientists, long-term excessive drinking can lead to pancreatitis (that is, an inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis is associated with severe abdominal pain and excessive weight loss and can result in death."