Survey Indicates Overall Drug Use in America Increased Over Last Year

The estimated number of people abusing or dependent on alcohol and other drugs rose by nearly two million from 2003 to 2004.

The total number of people needing treatment for substance abuse or dependence in the United States for 2004 was estimated at 23.5 million, which is 9.8 percent of the population and is up over the 22.2 million from 2003.

The estimate of the number receiving specialty treatment in 2004 (2.3 million) was significantly higher than the estimate in 2003 (1.9 million), but this still left 21.2 million people who needed but did not receive treatment last year.

Various forms of stimulants remain among the most addictive drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription amphetamines.  In the last decade there has been a substantial increase in methamphetamine use as well as meth addiction treatment admissions.  The number of people abusing prescription stimulants in the past year has risen to 1.2 million.

Despite admission rates for primary cocaine addiction treatment having decreased nationally by 24% between 1992 and 2002, there are still an estimated 2 million current users of cocaine, or more than three times the number of methamphetamine users. 

Cocaine has been in the international media spotlight lately with supermodel Kate Moss reportedly entering a drug rehab center for her cocaine use and singer Boy George being arrested for cocaine possession.

The short-term physiological effects of cocaine include constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Larger amounts may also lead to bizarre, erratic, and violent behavior.

Cocaine users may experience tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches or paranoia.  Some users of cocaine report feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. In rare instances, sudden death can occur on the first use of cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter. Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest.

Studies have demonstrated that cocaine residues accumulate in the body and can remain there for extended periods of time. These residues continue to cause adverse effects on the individual, including physical cravings for more of the drug. 

The Narconon New Life Detoxification Program speeds up the body's elimination of these residues, therefore restoring natural health quickly and eliminating the physical cravings for cocaine.  This procedure is part of the overall program delivered by Narconon Arrowhead, which is one of the leading drug rehabilitation and education programs in the nation and its effectiveness is attributed to the drug-free research and developments of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

For more information about cocaine or effective drug addiction treatment, call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.cocaineaddiction.com and www.stopaddiction.com.

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