Cold, hard facts about drugs and alcohol
Alcohol and drug abuse are a problem. Everyone knows that.
But, did you know that according to multiple studies, around 80% of high school seniors admit to drinking alcohol at least once?
At some point, you or someone close to you will likely be offered some type of drug. Choosing to use drugs or not will have a substantial effect on the rest of your life. No one who is addicted to drugs or alcohol will admit that they knew substance use would come to dominate their life initially. They thought they could manage their drug or alcohol use but instead, it spiraled out of their control.
You have a right to know the sobering facts about drug and alcohol abuse so you are fully informed of all the ways it can disrupt and ruin your life.
Here are 11 other facts about alcohol and drug abuse that you probably did not know:
- 13 is the average age children experiment with drugs.
- Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance, and the 3rd most common cause of death in the United States.
- 50% of all suicides, and over 50% of all violent crimes, are caused by alcohol and/or drugs.
- Over 50% of all traffic accidents involve alcohol or drugs.
- 80% of all domestic violence reports are somehow related to alcohol or drugs.
- An estimated 60% of poor work performance can be tied back to drugs or alcohol.
- 34 of 35 alcoholics have never received treatment.
- 28% of college dropouts abuse alcohol.
- Pain killers, tranquilizers, and stimulants are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.
- Marijuana, Cocaine, and hallucinogens are the most commonly abused illegal drugs.
- More than $600 billion is lost annually due to substance abuse.
It is not just statistics. It is lives lost and lives ruined.
The story of Beth
Beth was only nine when it started. The drugs came from her mother. Beth really was not sure what they were supposed to do, but knew that she needed to take them.
At first, her mom had to make her take the pills. Soon, Beth learned to take them on her own. It was not long before Beth started taking them herself. It was not long after that when she could not bring herself to stop taking them.
She was hooked.
She was not sure whether her mother did not notice, or just did not care. It did not matter to her though. As long as she could keep getting what she wanted, she did not care.
By the age of twelve, a friend had introduced her to alcohol.
By fifteen, she was going to parties with college students and smoking marijuana.
She still was not sure whether no one noticed, or just did not care until she was in college herself. She never considered herself to be addicted, it all seemed so normal to her. Then, being away from home, everything fell apart.
Her world fell to shambles when her father died in a car accident. He had been driving drunk when he hit a sixteen-wheeler. He died on impact. The tragedy caused her to rely even more on the drugs and alcohol for an escape. Which ultimately caused her to spiral out of control.
One night she got wasted at a party, then the next thing she knew, she was facing multiple charges in court. From public intoxication to domestic violence.
Do not let what happened to Beth, happen to you or someone you love! If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, do something about it!
Alpine Recovery Lodge is dedicated to helping people through alcohol and drug abuse. They strive for success and tailor their program for recovery, and growth.
To find out more about the Alpine Recovery Lodge, give us a call at (866) 410-2536 or submit a simple form.
You can be the difference, the voice in the dark, that someone you know or love needs!
