First, the good news: Heroin use in general in the United States is down, according to the latest annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). In 2015, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimated 8.5 percent of young adults (ages 18-25) misused prescription opioids; that dropped to just over 7 percent in 2017.
Now the bad: The rate of overall substance use in young adults is higher, including higher rates of methamphetamine use and marijuana use. Plus, pregnant women are increasingly using cocaine, opioids and marijuana, with 7 percent using pot daily, according to the report which helps government officials, medical professionals, researchers and caregivers understand the extent of substance use and mental illness among different age groups and gauge need for treatment services.
Addiction expert Sally Satel told USA Today that she wasn’t too surprised by these findings, given the publicity surrounding deaths from heroin laced with fentanyl. In fact, she expected a move away from the drug – similar to what happened decades ago with crack cocaine. "I was waiting for this," said Satel. "This is how it works. People still want to alter their mental state. So they look for what’s cheap and what’s available and the reputation of the drug.”
What’s more, addiction experts interviewed in the article talked about how meth is often a “magnetic” for people suffering from addiction. This is because it’s cheaper, more readily available and more potent than in years past.
More About MethemphetamineAccording to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, methamphetamine ("meth" for short) is a very addictive stimulant drug and chronic use can experience a range of side effects, including:
Treating Meth Addiction in Boulder, COPeople who are addicting to meth gradually prioritize the drug over everything else in their life – and will continue use despite any legal consequences caused by meth. If you or a loved one is struggling with meth addiction, NorthStar Transitions can help. To learn more about our methamphetamine drug rehabilitation, call today: 303-974-7953.
