Report: 24.6 Million Americans Aged 12 or Older Use Illicit Drug

An estimated 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users – 9.4 percent of this age group, according to a latest report from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA issued the report in observance of the 25th annual National Recovery Month.

Marijuana was by far the most commonly used illicit drug with approximately 19.8 million current users aged 12 and older.

In terms of other illicit drugs, the report indicates that among those aged 12 and older, there were 4.5 million current nonmedical users of prescription pain relievers (1.7 percent), 1.5 million current cocaine users (0.6 percent), 595,000 methamphetamine users (0.2 percent), and 289,000 current heroin users (0.1 percent). Although an estimated 22.7 million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem, only 2.5 million persons received treatment at a specialty facility.

The SAMHSA report also shows that 34.6 million adults aged 18 or older (14.6 percent of the population aged 18 or older) received mental health treatment or counseling during the past 12 months. Nearly one in five American adults (18.5 percent), or 43.8 million adults, had a mental illness in 2013. Ten million adults (4.2 percent of the adult population) had a serious mental illness in the past year. Serious mental illness is defined as mental illness that resulted in serious functional impairment, which substantially interfered with, or limited, one or more major life activities.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Recovery Month our nation can be proud of the strides made in successfully promoting the power of recovery from mental and substance use disorders,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde.  “However, throughout our nation thousands still needlessly suffer the ravages of untreated substance use and mental disorders. We must reach out to all people with unmet need so that they can return to lives full of hope, well-being, and fulfillment.”

 “This Administration’s approach to drug policy is rooted in the knowledge that substance use disorders are diseases that can be prevented, treated, and from which people can recover,” said Michael Botticelli, Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy. “The recovery movement has come a long way in 25 years, and people in recovery deserve an official voice at all levels of government. We must continue to use that voice to share our triumphs and our challenges, and show the world that millions of us are leading happy, healthy, productive lives in long-term recovery. Each recovery story we tell chips away at the misconceptions that keep someone struggling with an addictive disorder from asking for help.”

Great strides have been made indeed and it should get better as the stigma of addiction continues to change,” saidBioCorRx, Inc. BICXChief Operating Officer Brady Grainier in an interview. BioCorRx, Inc. is one of the fastest growing companies in the substance abuse addiction treatment sector.

BioCorRx, Inc. has developed an innovative approach to alcohol and opioid abuse treatment called the Start Fresh Program that is believed by some experts to be a “game-changer” in the rehabilitation sector.

The Start Fresh Program is a two-tiered program used by local addiction clinics across the United States which involves an outpatient medical procedure and psycho-social coaching. 

The program’s first component involves an outpatient medical procedure to embed BioCorRx’s biodegradable naltrexone implant under the abdominal skin and fatty tissue. The implant then delivers therapeutic levels of the antagonist drug, naltrexone, into the bloodstream which can curb one’s cravings for alcohol or opioids. The program is administered on an out-patient basis over an average of 6-8 months and can be done without the need to miss more than one day or work in most cases.

Learn more information about the Start Fresh Program from BioCorRx, Inc. by visiting its website www.BICXcorp.com.

Those seeking help for mental and/or substance use disorders have many resources to turn to for help. For example, SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator: http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ or 1-800 662 HELP (4357) can provide immediate round-the-clock information on treatment programs for mental and/or substance use disorders throughout the nation.