Drug Abuse

What is Drug Abuse?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that drug abuse is "one of America's most challenging public health problems." So what exactly is drug abuse?  Drug abuse involves the excessive and/or inappropriate use of drugs. The drugs can be illicit street drugs or prescription medications. Without treatment, drug abuse can easily evolve into a full-blown addiction.

Drug abuse affects virtually every community in the United States. According to NIDA, the costs associated with drug abuse, including health care expenditures and the costs associated with drug-related crime, accidents and lost earnings, amount to more than $484 billion a year - that's more than the costs of diabetes and cancer combined.

Types of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse can involve:

• Legal drugs, also known as prescription drugs, including Vicodin, OxyContin, Hydrocondon and Buprenex.
• Illegal drugs such as crack, heroin, cocaine, crystal meth and others
• Alcohol

Dangers of Drug Abuse

The effects of drug abuse are widespread and impact the individual, their family and society as a whole.

The Individual

• Among the many health-related issues associated with drug abuse are cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, mental illness, injuries and death.
• Drugs can impair judgment and cause a person to act violent or commit crimes.
• The person may lose their job and their finances.

The Family

• Drug abuse can destroy personal relationships including marriages.
• Prenatal drug abuse can cause babies to be born prematurely and have low birth weights.
• Many child abuse and neglect cases involve some degree of parental drug abuse.

Society

• Drugs are often the cause of major crimes including burglary, homicide and assault.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) "Drugs alone-or in combination with alcohol, both prescription and illicit-are increasingly being found in chemical tests of at-fault drivers in fatal and injury crashes."

If you are in need of drug abuse help, Lakeview Health Systems can turn your life around. Our comprehensive, nationally recognized drug rehab treatment programs are designed to help you achieve long term recovery. Call us today toll-free at 1-866-657-4357. We are standing by 24/7 to take your confidential call.