Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics [Infographic]

Prescription drug abuse is a significant problem in the United States. According to SAMHSA, while marijuana is the most commonly used controlled substance, prescription drugs are second on the list. While opioids are the most pressing issue regarding the abuse of prescription drugs, Americans regularly abuse other types of prescriptions as well. Prescription drug abuse statistics can reveal a lot about the scale of the problem.

Abuse of Prescription Pain Relievers

SAMHSA reports that about 91.8 million American adults used prescription pain relievers, including opioids, in 2015. That number is over one-third of the adult population. Clearly, the use of prescription pain relievers is pervasive in our culture.

Of those that used the pain relievers, 12.5% admitted to misusing the substance at least once within the past year. Experts define misuse as using a drug in a way that goes against the prescriber’s instructions on the label, or using drugs that a doctor prescribed to someone else. While the percentage of people that misuse their pain relievers may seem small, it amounts to 11.5 million people. That’s certainly not insignificant.

The most popular reason for the misuse of prescription pain relievers was to relieve physical pain. Even though this is the intended purpose of the drug, it’s still considered abuse to use the substance in an off-label way.

Misuse of Other Prescription Drugs

While the abuse of prescription pain relievers is the most significant problem, prescription drug abuse statistics show that Americans commonly abuse other types of drugs, too. For example, in 2015, about 5.7 million adults admitted to misusing prescription tranquilizers at least once within the last year. This category of drugs includes benzodiazepines like Xanax, as well as muscle relaxers. Tranquilizers being depressants, respondents most commonly cited the desire to relax as the reason behind their off-label use.

Sedatives are another example of depressant prescription drugs. Their most common use is to improve the quality of sleep in those who have insomnia. Of the 18 million adults that reported using a sedative in 2015, 1.4 million of them misused them, usually to help with sleep.

On the other side of the coin are prescription stimulants, which people most often abuse to stay awake or increase alertness. Of the 15.4 million adults that used prescription stimulants, 4.8 million of them reported misusing their prescription at least once.

What Do These Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics Mean?

The biggest takeaway from these statistics is that while abuse of prescription pain relievers is the most significant issue regarding prescription drug abuse, people should not ignore the misuse of other types of prescriptions. The number of people that admit to abusing prescriptions of all kinds is significant. It’s important to know these prescription drug statistics to get drug abusers the help that they need.

Help for Prescription Drug Abuse

If you or a loved one is one of the millions of Americans that struggle with prescription drug abuse, prescription drug addiction rehab is available at Driftwood Recovery. Our drug rehab programs include:

• Xanax addiction rehab
• Opioid addiction rehab
• Opiate addiction rehab
• Benzo addiction rehab
• Morphine addiction rehab

Don’t put off reaching out for help. Without the guidance of trained professionals, issues with addiction only get worse. Call Driftwood Recovery today at 866-426-4694 to learn more about how our programs can help you.

People often refer to addiction as a family disease. That’s because the development of addiction is frequently rooted in family issues. Plus, addiction can often run in the family. Take a closer look at the connection between addiction and family as well as the need for family therapy in rehab.

The Genetic Factors That Lead to Addiction

There is a myriad of factors that can contribute to the development of a substance abuse disorder. Many of them have to do with the individual and his or her mental health, history, and life experience. However, there is also evidence to suggest that addiction can be genetic.

This does not mean that some people have addiction in their DNA. What it does mean is that some people are genetically predisposed to develop addictions to substances faster. That explains why two men can drink the same amount of alcohol, but one will become addicted much faster than the other. This also explains why multiple family members may all struggle with addiction.

Underlying Issues Can Impact the Entire Family

While genetics is one factor that links addiction and family, shared history is another factor that you should consider. It is normal for family members to share serious life experiences. If multiple family members live through the same traumatic events, then they are collectively at greater risk for addiction.

If several siblings all live through a natural disaster, for example, then they all have a higher chance of developing an addiction. The same is true if the whole family witnesses a violent crime or watches a loved one die. Although just one family member might struggle with addiction as a result, the others may still need support and treatment for the shared underlying issue.

One Case of Addiction Can Disrupt the Family Dynamic

Addiction is also a family concern because one family member’s struggle can disrupt the entire family. When a loved one struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, it is tough to know how to help. The whole family might be tense, anxious, and worried about the future.

It is also common for communication to break down when one person is dealing with an addiction. Fortunately, family therapy can bring together loved ones. A counselor can mediate, teach family members about addiction, and help rebuild broken bonds.

Understanding Addiction and Family in Rehab

Addiction and family are linked, so it makes sense that family members should be a part of rehab. At Driftwood Recovery, our family program identifies the need for comprehensive, all-inclusive care. In addition to family therapy, Clients can expect a wide range of treatments. Some of these treatments may include the following:

• Trauma therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• 12 Step program
• Yoga therapy
• Experiential therapy

Addiction can impact the entire family in a variety of ways. At Driftwood Recovery in Texas, rehab programs heal the Client as well as the family. If you’re ready to fight back against addiction and rebuild your health, happiness, and sobriety, then call 866-426-4694 to learn more.

Pain is largely considered to be a physical condition. Anxiety, on the other hand, is largely considered to be a mental health condition. However, the two conditions can often overlap. Let’s look at the connection between anxiety and pain as well as how therapists can address them at the same time.

Anxiety and Muscle Tension

Think back to the last time that you felt anxious. Then, think about your body language. There’s a good chance that you were physically tense rather than open and relaxed. Anxiety commonly leads to muscle tension, which can then become a source of pain.

When muscles are tense for extended periods of time, they are more likely to become sore. Individuals who struggle with shoulder pain, neck pain and migraines, for example, might also be dealing with added tension caused by anxiety. While relaxing is a great way to eliminate that muscle tension, anxiety makes it hard to do.

Anxiety and Hypersensitivity

Anxiety and pain share close ties thanks to hypersensitivity. When people struggle with anxiety, they are also more likely to be hypersensitive to physical sensations. When they have an upset stomach, they are more in tune with those uncomfortable feelings. This means that some people with anxiety don’t actually have more physical pain, but they do experience and feel that pain in a more pronounced way.

One of the most common forms of pain among those with anxiety is joint pain. It may be true that those with anxiety can feel the inflammation in their joints more than the average person, leading to greater pain.

Behavioral Changes Created by Anxiety

Sometimes, pain can result from changes in behavior that are directly caused by anxiety. People who slouch or hunch their shoulders, for example, are more likely to have back and shoulder pain. Others may sleep in strange positions to cope with anxiety, but those positions may lead to physical pain.

Pain and Injury Can Also Lead to Anxiety

Typically, people think of anxiety as the precursor to pain. However, the opposite relationship is also true. Sometimes, the pain from an injury or an accident can cause a person to become anxious.

An athlete, for example, might be anxious about recovering from an injury. They can develop anxiety because of pain, and that anxiety may, in turn, cause the pain to feel worse. This creates a terrible cycle that might be hard to break out of.

Treating Anxiety and Pain at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, Clients can overcome pain by tackling the source. In many cases, anxiety is one of the causes of chronic or acute pain. Treatment is holistic, approaching the Client as a unique individual. Some treatment methods to combat anxiety and pain include:

• Yoga therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Physical therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Dual diagnosis support

Anxiety treatment may be one way for Clients to reduce or eliminate pain. At Driftwood Recovery in Texas, you can find the right kind of support and improve your quality of life. Call 866-426-4694 to learn more.

Texas faces unique challenges when it comes to drug abuse. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas is in the direct path of cartels looking to traffic illegal substances into the United States. From cocaine to marijuana to heroin, Texas drug statistics show that the state is a popular route for drugs entering the country.

Interestingly, this activity also results in trends in drug treatment admissions along the border that differ from those further north.

Along the Border

Admissions to drug addiction treatment centers funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) can tell us a lot about the trends of drug use throughout the state. For example, admissions due to marijuana use are consistently higher along the Texas border than in other parts of the state.

However, admissions for methamphetamine use are almost nonexistent along the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas drug statistics show that the drug of choice in this region tends to be marijuana, followed by heroin and cocaine.

Further North

Admissions to Texas DSHS-funded addiction treatment centers tell a different story about areas of Texas north of the border area. Marijuana does remain the culprit behind the majority of admissions. However, methamphetamine usage is not far behind. In areas north of the border, people seeking treatment for meth abuse is more common than that for heroin.

In fact, most of Texas has largely evaded the worst of the heroin epidemic that’s ravaging states further north. This is because of the prevalence of Mexican Black Tar heroin. This type of heroin makes up the majority of heroin used in Texas. Mexican Black Tar is lower in purity than the heroin found in the northeast. It also doesn’t mix well with fentanyl, which is the synthetic opioid that’s causing increased numbers of overdoses. Notably, when authorities find fentanyl in Texas, it’s more frequently mixed with benzodiazepines and other opiates. Only 3% of Texas heroin deaths involve fentanyl.

What Do These Texas Drug Statistics Mean?

With all of these Texas drug statistics, you may be wondering what it all means. Essentially, the substance abuse situation in Texas is complex. Due to its size and proximity to a drug trafficking hotbed, drug use trends can vary greatly by region. For this reason, there’s no one single solution to Texas’ drug problems.

Help for Drug Addiction at Driftwood Recovery

One way to chip away at the problem of drug abuse in Texas is to encourage users to seek treatment. At Driftwood Recovery, we have the tools to treat everything from prescription drug abuse to methamphetamine abuse. Some of the services we provide for our clients include:

• Dual diagnosis treatment
• Alcohol rehab program
• Group therapy
• Family program
• Trauma therapy
• Yoga therapy

Don’t let Texas drug statistics scare you. Addiction is treatable. You just have to take the brave first step and reach out for help. Call Driftwood Recovery at 866-426-4694 today.

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Addiction treatment takes many forms. Treatment specialists don’t take a blanket approach because they understand that each person seeking help needs individualized care. Of course, maybe you’ve heard of alternative therapies and wondered how they work. In other words, what is a holistic approach to addiction treatment?

The Mind-Body Connection

To better understand the impact addiction has on a person, you must know that it affects much more than a user’s body. Drug and alcohol abuse will take a toll on someone physically, but it also takes a toll mentally. For example, depression and anxiety are just two psychological effects of drug use.

When people enter rehab, they’re not only there to detox and heal their bodies. Of course, their minds must heal as well. That’s how they become truly healthy again.

What Is a Holistic Approach to Addiction Treatment?

Addiction treatment includes various therapies, such as psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. Through talk therapy, rehab Clients gain valuable insight into their addiction and how to overcome it.

What is a holistic approach to drug and alcohol addiction treatment? Holistic therapy, also known as alternative therapy, takes an integrated approach to whole-body health. These treatments focus on the connection between the physical, spiritual, as well as the mental aspects of each person.

The types of holistic therapies you may find in rehab include:

• Meditation
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Massage
• Biofeedback
• Art and music therapy

Other holistic treatments include nutrition therapy or simply hiking through the woods.

How Rehab Facilities Include Holistic Care

What is a holistic approach to rehab, and do all treatment centers take it?

The extent of holistic addiction treatment that a rehab facility offers differs from center to center. Of course, if this type of therapy is important to you, make sure you choose a facility that provides it.

With more people interested in alternative medicines and practices, more treatment centers are now offering holistic therapy. Many of them use it alongside more traditional therapeutic practices, with good results.

The best thing about holistic practices is that you can continue using them after leaving rehab. Once you return home, you can take what you learned during treatment and apply it to your ongoing recovery.

Change Begins Today

If you’re ready to give yourself the second chance you deserve, Driftwood Recovery is here for you. Our addiction and pain rehab center sits on 85 expansive acres of Texas ranch land, giving you the peaceful surroundings you need to begin recovery.

The dedicated professionals at Driftwood provide support and guidance through individual and group therapy. We help Clients with a range of therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR therapy.

We also offer enjoyable amenities, such as:

• Aquatic therapy
• Fitness therapy
• Nutritional therapy
• Biking
• Kayaking
• Yoga therapy
• Meditation

You can make a positive change in your life by calling us today. With our help, you can break free of drug and alcohol addiction, for good. Call Driftwood Recovery at 866-426-4694 today.

Spotting the signs of drug addiction can be tough unless you know what to look for. The descent into drug abuse can be gradual, meaning it isn’t always easy to catch the signs. While drug use may not pose much of a problem at first, it can eventually take over a person’s life. This makes noticing the signs and taking action important.

Taking note of the signs of drug addiction in yourself can be nearly impossible. They can also be easy to downplay or ignore in a loved one. Learning the signs can be a huge positive step in the fight against drug addiction.

You may not know many facts about meth. While you might know that it’s addictive, do you know how dangerous meth use can be? Every year, tens of thousands of people visit hospital emergency rooms for meth-related reasons. Stroke, visual impairment, and death can all result from meth abuse. However, these are far from the only startling facts about the drug.

5 Startling Facts About Meth

Not all meth use is illicit. In fact, pharmacy-grade methamphetamine can help people with obesity or attention deficit disorders. It’s the illegal form—crystal meth—that users are more familiar with.

Some surprising facts about meth include:

1. Known as “meth mouth,” many users begin to lose their teeth at a rapid rate as a result of neglected oral hygiene.
2. Long-term use can lead to skeletal muscle tissue loss, which may explain why someone who’s abused the drug for a long time can have motor and coordination issues.
3. It causes brain damage similar to stroke and Alzheimer’s sufferers.
4. Meth use may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to some studies.
5. It causes a much higher dopamine release than sex or food. This can explain why it’s so addictive since people find meth use more pleasurable than anything else.

Overcoming Addiction

Whether you became addicted after just one hit or you developed a dependency over several months, meth effects can be extremely damaging. Getting treatment for addiction is crucial. Rehab can save your life or the life of a loved one.

The momentary high will quickly lead to depression, anxiety, and confusion. Some users experience paranoia and psychosis.

None of the negative effects of meth use are worth that short-lived high. They’re also not worth the damage done to your body or family relationships. If you know someone with a meth addiction, it’s vital to encourage him to get into rehab. If you’re the one with a drug or alcohol dependency, it’s not too late.

A Full Continuum of Addiction Treatment

Driftwood Recovery is a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center in Driftwood, Texas. Our accredited facility provides numerous addiction treatment programs and therapies for our Clients.

We provide substance abuse treatment for meth and other drugs, including:

• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Hallucinogens
• Ecstasy
• Prescription drugs
• Marijuana

Whether it’s meth, heroin or another addiction you want to beat, we can help you. Make a call that could save your life. The dedicated professionals at Driftwood Recovery are ready to start you on the path to sobriety. Contact us today at 866-426-4694 for more information.

Taking the first step towards addiction recovery isn’t easy. Often, individuals need motivation in the form of an intervention. But what is an intervention, exactly? Learn more about this effective way of helping a loved one, and why it might be necessary.

An intervention is a structured, planned conversation with a drug or alcohol user about their addiction and need for treatment. An intervention is usually a group process where family members and loved ones gather to confront a certain individual about substance abuse. This process can be a surprise to the substance abuser, and sometimes loved ones and family members choose to let them know it’s happening beforehand.

Typically, an intervention is a time when participants can share their concerns and fears. Additionally, they can directly explain how their loved one’s addiction is impacting others. Overall, the goal of an intervention is to encourage the main individual to seek professional help. In some cases, having a professional guide to organize the intervention is ideal.

When Is an Intervention Necessary?

Not everyone needs an intervention. If an individual is ready and willing to attend addiction treatment, then an intervention usually isn’t necessary. Addiction counselors usually recommend an intervention when an individual is in denial about their addiction.

Furthermore, if a user argues that an addiction isn’t impacting others, then an intervention might reveal that this is untrue. In this way, an intervention helps the substance abuser accept their need for treatment. While it’s hard for a single person to argue that a loved one has a problem, a large group of friends and family members can make a compelling case.

How Should You Prepare for an Intervention?

While an intervention can be an overwhelming success, it can also go badly without the right preparation. Often, the best way to prepare is simply to hold a rehearsal. This allows everyone to become familiar with the order of events before conducting the intervention.

Additionally, it’s important to only include people who truly need to be there. Inviting young children or casual acquaintances is rarely a good idea.

Finally, make sure to remain supportive throughout the entire process. Although an intervention can feel confrontational, it should be about help, support, and love. Therefore, keep the focus on helping your loved one if it starts to feel hostile.

What Comes After an Intervention?

What is an intervention? Overall, the goal of an intervention should always to be to convince a loved one to attend a rehab program. Fortunately, at Driftwood Recovery, Clients can move from intervention to treatment immediately. A comprehensive treatment plan can include all of the following strategies:

• Group therapy
• Behavioral therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy
• Holistic addiction treatment
• Trauma therapy

Interventions can be an effective way to help loved ones begin a course of addiction treatment. At Driftwood Recovery, Clients can expect custom treatment plans for health, sobriety, and fulfillment. Call 866-426-4694 today and embark on the journey to recovery.

If you’ve watched the news within the past year, you’ve probably heard of opioids. Opioid use has been a trending topic on most news stations due to its rise in use. However, how much do you really know about opioid epidemic statistics? Let’s look at the numbers.

Opioid-Related Deaths

42,000 is a scary number when it comes to opioid epidemic statistics. This is the number of deaths that occurred in 2016 due to opioid use. This number is about five times higher than it was in 1999. Furthermore, experts estimate that about 115 Americans die every day due to opioid use. This can include prescription opioids and heroin. In addition, experts estimate that there will be a 35% increase in deaths between now and 2027. This rise is due to increased availability of synthetic opioids. While synthetic opioids are easier and cheaper to create, they can also be more fatal. As these drugs become more available, the number of deaths will continue to rise.

Government Money Spent on Opioid Use

$80 billion is another shocking number when it comes to opioid epidemic statistics. This figure is the amount of money the U.S. government spends annually due to opioids. It includes loss of productivity, overall healthcare, and job expenses. So how does this break down?

Loss of productivity means employers are losing money in a number of ways. For example, an employee being absent due to opiod use means less production for employers. Paying for disability and sick days are another way employers lose money. They also lose money in productivity when employee performance suffers. Healthcare expenses include substance abuse treatments, research costs, and hospital expenses.

Opioid Dependency

During 2016, about 1.4 million Americans fit the criteria for opioid dependency. However, only 10% of them sought out addiction treatment programs. It’s painful that the smallest number of opioid epidemic statistics is the percentage of those receiving help. Why is this occurring? Many users are unsure of where to go, what kind of treatment they need, or how to afford treatment.

Don’t Become a Statistic

At Driftwood Recovery, our prescription drug addiction rehab aims to lower these opioid epidemic statistics. We offer a variety of services to help users successfully find their path to recovery. Our services include the following:

• Acceptance and commitment therapy
• Dual diagnosis treatment
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy

Refuse to become a number in a news article, and begin treatment today. Call us today at 866-426-4694.

Although many people develop dependence on drugs or alcohol due to trauma, everyone has a unique history. Additionally, some people struggle with addiction as a result of mental illness symptoms. Therefore, the right rehab approach should include individualized addiction treatment. This gives people the best chance of reaching successful recovery.

Benefits of Individualized Addiction Treatment

You have your own history that contributes to your addiction. Therefore, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment.

The professionals at a quality facility work to customize a treatment plan that addresses your core issues. Without this individual approach, it’s harder to set a firm foundation for recovery.

By tailoring treatment to you, skilled therapists and other personnel make sure your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met. For example, if you have an anxiety disorder, you won’t necessarily benefit from the same treatment that someone who doesn’t struggle with anxiety receives.

Personalized plans bring additional support to your recovery needs. This could be the first time in your life that you feel this way. Imagine how much more invested in recovery you’ll be when you feel comfortable and safe.

Additionally, custom detox methods and individual therapy that focuses on a person’s unique stressors and triggers lessens the chances of relapse. For example, a veteran with PTSD issues has vastly different triggers than a suburbanite dependent on prescription medication. By treating them as individuals, each receives the right care.

How to Get the Most Benefits of Individualized Treatment

Being completely honest with yourself is crucial while you go through rehab. This gives the staff the necessary information to customize treatment specifically for you. By leaving out details—even ones you think aren’t important—you might miss out program components that are crucial to your sobriety.

It can be hard laying out all that information. But remember, the staff at an addiction treatment center is familiar with every type of behavior that people with substance dependency engage in. Overall, they’re very caring and have an overwhelming desire to help you. Therefore, you should always be honest with them about everything.

With an individualized addiction treatment plan in place, all of your unique problems are taken into account. Thus, you’ll receive the right care and have a much better chance at long-term sobriety.

A New Start Awaits at Driftwood Recovery

We believe that life begins again during recovery. We’re an addiction and pain rehab center in Driftwood, Texas, sitting on 85 acres of serene ranch land. In addition, our facility provides various treatment models, including residential, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. The addiction therapies we offer include:

• Psychotherapy
• Group therapy
• Behavioral therapy
• Family therapy
• Trauma therapy

Recovery is a courageous decision that only you can make. Overcome your addiction with our help. Contact us today, and we’ll put you on the right path to recovery: 866-426-4694.