Drug Abuse Facts

Drug abuse facts prepared by The Lewin Group for the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimated the total economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse to be $245.7 billion for 1992. Of this cost, $97.7 billion was due to drug abuse. This estimate includes substance abuse treatment and prevention costs as well as other healthcare costs, costs associated with reduced job productivity or lost earnings, and other costs to society such as crime and social welfare. Drug abuse facts also determined that these costs are borne primarily by governments (46 percent), followed by those who abuse drugs and members of their households (44 percent).

Drug abuse facts notes that the definition for drug abuse is a pattern of repeated drug taking that usually results in tolerance (the need for greater amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect), withdrawal (physical and cognitive effects when drug use declines or stops), and compulsive drug taking behavior (drug taking that persists despite efforts to reduce intake and despite problems with family, friends, and work).

People of all ages suffer the harmful consequences of drug abuse and addiction. Babies exposed to legal and illegal drugs in the womb may be born premature and underweight. This drug exposure can slow the child's intellectual development and affect behavior later in life. Drug abuse facts show that adolescents who abuse drugs often act out, do poorly academically, and drop out of school. They are at risk of unplanned pregnancies, violence, and infectious diseases.

Adults who abuse drugs often have problems thinking clearly, remembering, and paying attention. They often develop poor social behaviors as a result of their drug abuse, and their work performance and personal relationships suffer. Parents' drug abuse often means chaotic, stress-filled homes and child abuse and neglect. Such conditions harm the well-being and development of children in the home and may set the stage for drug abuse in the next generation.

This drug abuse facts page has compiled the following questions to help you find out if you are abusing drugs or alcohol. If you have doubts about whether or not you’re an addict, take a few moments to read the questions below and answer them as honestly as you can.

• Do you avoid people or places that do not approve of you using drugs?
• Do you continue to use despite negative consequences?
• Do you ever question your own sanity?
• Do you ever use alone?
• Do you feel it is impossible for you to live without drugs?
• Do you put the purchase of drugs ahead of your financial responsibilities?
• Do you regularly use a drug when you wake up or when you go to bed?
• Do you think a lot about drugs?
• Do you think you might have a drug problem?
• Does the thought of running out of drugs terrify you?
• Does using interfere with your sleeping or eating?
• Has using affected your sexual relationships?
• Has your job or school performance ever suffered from the effects of your drug use?
• Have you ever been arrested as a result of using drugs?
• Have you ever been in a jail, hospital, or drug rehabilitation center because of your using?
• Have you ever felt defensive, guilty, or ashamed about your using?
• Have you ever lied about what or how much you use?
• Have you ever manipulated or lied to a doctor to obtain prescription drugs?
• Have you ever overdosed on any drugs?
• Have you ever stolen drugs or stolen to obtain drugs?
• Have you ever substituted one drug for another, thinking that one particular drug was the problem?
• Have you ever taken drugs you didn’t prefer?
• Have you ever taken one drug to overcome the effects of another?
• Have you ever thought you couldn’t fit in or have a good time without drugs?
• Have you ever tried to stop or control your using?
• Have you ever used a drug without knowing what it was or what it would do to you?
• Have you ever used drugs because of emotional pain or stress?
• Have you had irrational or indefinable fears?
• Is your drug use making life at home unhappy?

In the end, drug abuse facts show that ending drug abuse is difficult, but not impossible. Support from family, friends and others who have had a drug abuse problem in the past, as well as inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment, will help in recovery from drug abuse.