Drug addiction is a severe condition that can lead to serious health problems. According to the data, more than 21 million people in the United States have at least one addiction. If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction, it’s essential to seek help as soon as possible.
You can consult a professional counselor to help you create a treatment plan to get out of the addiction. However, it is vital to do ample research to select the right counselor. Look for a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). An LCPC is a state-licensed professional. This ensures that LCPCs have the expertise and skills to help you eliminate drug addiction.
Drug addiction affects all age groups, including adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults. In fact, as people age, they can have a different tendency towards drugs.
Drug Addiction in Adolescents
Drug addiction in adolescents is a significant problem in the United States. According to a study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website, 39.9% of surveyed students used at least one illicit drug in their lifetime. Of all the drugs, cannabis was the most used drug, followed by hallucinogens, amphetamines, cocaine, and others. Many factors contribute to this issue, including:
- Adolescents are more at risk of drug addiction because they have greater access to drugs and are more likely to use them than adults. Their brains also go through different changes during adolescence, which can cause them to act impulsively and make poor decisions regarding their health.
- Unlike adults with children or dependents, teenagers think only about themselves and often disregard the consequences of their actions when making decisions about drug use. They may not realize that drugs such as marijuana can damage brain development until it’s too late because their brains aren’t fully developed yet! In addition, research shows that alcohol consumption among teens leads directly to other forms of substance abuse later on down life’s road – so there’s no telling what could happen if we don’t take action now!
- According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse website, adolescents with physical and/or sexual abuse are also more likely to take drugs. Similarly, stressful early life experiences and trauma, genetic vulnerability, or prenatal drug exposure also lead to drug addiction in adolescents.
Drug Addiction in Adults
Drug addiction is a complex issue, but it’s essential to understand how age can influence the likelihood of addiction. Young adults are more likely to try drugs and become addicted than older adults. They are also more likely to suffer from the consequences of drug use, including death by overdose.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that people aged 18-25 have higher rates of substance abuse than any other age group in America today—and this statistic has only continued to increase over time. According to the report, 22.3% of people aged 18-20 and 18.7% of those aged 21-25 used illicit drugs. The numbers declined from there on.
Adults easily access several drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, nicotine, etc. Marijuana or cannabis is the most used drug among adults. Data shows that about 30-40 million Americans smoke marijuana each year. Moreover, 43% of adults admit to trying marijuana. This trial can then lead to a fun thing and, ultimately, addiction.
Drug Addiction in the Elderly
When it comes to drug abuse, age is just one factor. It might seem that the elderly would not take drugs due to the risk of several health conditions associated with aging. Although less than adolescents and adults, older adults have a drug addiction.
Older people are more likely to suffer from chronic pain and other health problems that can cause them to seek painkillers or other medications to feel better. These painkillers can have addictive drugs like opioids. About 130 Americans die due to opioid overdose every year. Moreover, data shows that about 20%-30% of people taking prescribed opioids misuse them.
The elderly are also more likely to feel isolated and alone. This can lead them to try some drugs. If they get used to this, they can quickly become addicted to drugs. The sad part is that older people can face more devastating consequences of drug addiction than adolescents or adults due to aging.
Drug Addiction Is a Severe Brain Disorder
Drug addiction is a severe brain disorder with biological, psychological, and social factors. Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain that involves compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences to the individual who abuses drugs or alcohol. Many people become addicted to drugs and alcohol because they try them for the first time in their teenage years or early 20s. But some people get hooked on drugs later in life, too.
The reasons behind this increase aren’t completely clear, but it’s possible that older adults may be more likely than younger ones to face challenges related to substance abuse, such as financial difficulties or chronic pain from illness or injury. And many older adults have mental health disorders that can make substance abuse easier to start and more challenging for them to quit using substances like alcohol or prescription medications without professional help.
How to Prevent Drug Addiction
The most important thing you can do to prevent yourself from getting addicted to drugs is to ensure no one ever gives them to you. If someone offers you a drug, say no. If they persist, run away as fast as possible. If you find yourself with a group of people trying to give you drugs, try leaving the room as soon as possible.
If someone does manage to give you a drug and get it into your system, take steps immediately to ensure that the drug is removed from your body. If there are any needles involved in consuming the drug, be sure that there are no needles left in your body and that they have all been disposed of properly. You may want to seek medical attention, look for help centers such as Recreate Behavioral Health Network, or call 911 if necessary after this step has been taken so that any remaining traces of the drug can be removed from your body safely and efficiently.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that anyone at any age can get addicted to drugs. The reason and type of drug or consumption method can be different in different age groups. However, age is just a number, and everyone needs to take the right steps to prevent drug addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, please reach out for help today!