6 Terrifying Heroin Statistics
Understanding the disappointing trend in heroin statistics
Addiction of all kinds is a huge problem not only in the United States, but in other countries as well. Unfortunately, heroin use continues to be a problem in many different places with many different demographics. Heroin abuse tends to start after prescription opioid medication abuse becomes too expensive or hard to find. Sadly, the accessibility to heroin on the streets makes this substance a cheap and more available alternative to pain medication. Here are 6 heroin statistics that will surprise you.
- The number of counties, within the United States, with deaths related to heroin poisoning has gradually increased from 103 in 2000 to 511 in the year 2014. To be even more specific, counties in New England and Ohio prove to be at a higher risk for this to occur.
- According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, heroin deaths were at an all time high in 2015, showing 20,000 deaths within the year. Clearly, these heroin use statistics show the opposite of what is hoped for—a decline in heroin use. Out of the recent heroin death statistics, this particular one includes both men and woman in the 20,000. However, there is a line graph showing that men were affected more than woman. Nearly 15,000 of these deaths were men.
- A report of heroin statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that heroin death statistics increased by 20.6% from 2014 to 2015.
- In 2015, more heroin statistics published by the CDC reflected that males between the ages 25-44 had an increase of heroin deaths by 22.2% from the previous year.
- More heroin death statistics from the CDC show adults between ages 45-54 had the highest death rate in 2015.
- More shockingly among other recent heroin statistics, there was a report increased in heroin overdose deaths among adults in the 55-64 age bracket during 2015.
Some of these reports attribute these heroin use statistics to the prescription pain medication epidemic. Because heroin and opioid painkillers produce similar effects, many abusers tend to eventually lean towards heroin as a cheaper alternative on the streets.
Unfortunately, as these heroin statistics show, substance abuse does not discriminate any age, any race, and gender. Addiction is already a huge problem in the United States, and these statistics prove that the problem is getting worse.
Heroin use and prescription pain abuse devastates families of all different communities every day. Some may contribute this to people not getting the proper substance abuse treatment they need.
Many substance abusers fail to recognize the amount of professional help that is available to them. Drug treatment rehabilitation centers offer many different programs in all areas. Financial problems should not interfere with the decision to get help, since many facilities have income-based programs or government-funded programs as well.
One of the many excuses people fail to enter a drug treatment program is the lack of knowledge about available resources. Hopefully, by educating others on the topic of substance abuse, we can call awareness to this widespread problem and encourage others, including the youth, to stay away from dangerous substances, such as heroin. Educating others on how, when, and where to ask for help should be a priority among schools and work environments as well.
For those who are already prescribed pain medication for a diagnosed condition, staying under continuous supervision of a physician is recommended, in order to avoid substance abuse habits. Regardless if the substance is natural or synthetic, addiction needs to be treated as soon as possible. Taking these steps should help slowly improve the negative pattern show in heroin statistics.
Sources:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/heroin.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/opioid-overdose-death-statistics-2017-2016