New York residents are no strangers to alcohol and drug abuse. In 2017, more than 279,000 people were admitted to substance abuse treatment.
The opioid epidemic has ravaged the nation, and the east coast has been particularly hard-hit. New York remains at the center of attention for national drug issues such as the opioid crisis.
Here are the top five drugs abused in New York:
#1: Heroin
Over 88,000 people listed heroin use as their main reason for seeking substance abuse treatment in New York. One major problem with the opioid crisis is that addicts use all opioids interchangeably. Many get addicted by misusing prescription painkillers, and then transition to heroin when their supply runs out.
Check out these shocking stats and new stories about heroin abuse in New York:
- More than 1300 people died of heroin overdose in the state in 2017—more than double the number of deaths four years before.
- A five year-old child brought heroin with him to kindergarten in New York recently, and said that he had used it before – showing the devastating effects of the drug on families.
- Heroin overdose deaths rose every year from 2010 to 2017 in New York.
#2: Marijuana
Although marijuana has been decriminalized in the state of New York, it poses a serious threat to many people. Cannabis is often thought of as a benign drug that cannot cause major problems – but this is far from the truth.
Although physical dependence on marijuana is not possible, using the drug regularly can cause huge issues and quitting can be difficult. Check out these marijuana stats in New York, which tell the real story:
- Over 36,000 people were admitted to substance abuse treatment because of marijuana in New York in 2017
- Nearly 13% of all people in New York smoke marijuana, including more than 12% of teenagers age 12-17, and more than 20% of young adults aged 18-25.
Marijuana is called a ‘gateway drug’ for a reason. With such a high percentage of teenagers and young adults smoking pot, it is no wonder that New York has major problems with more ‘serious’ substances.
#3: Cocaine
Cocaine and New York have a long history. When the drug first became popular in the states back in the ‘80s, New York City was the center of cocaine and ‘crack-cocaine’ addiction. But despite being overshadowed by issues such as the opioid crisis, cocaine use in New York is still a huge problem.
Check out these startling Cocaine facts and news stories out of New York state:
- More than 22,000 people sought treatment for Cocaine abuse in New York in 2017.
- Of these, more than two-thirds were men.
- In May, over 3 million dollars worth of cocaine was seized at a New York City port – the largest coke bust in 25 years in the state.
#4: Alcohol
Although alcohol is not an illicit drug, it is still one of the most dangerous and widely abused substances in the state of New York. Alcohol use is embedded in the history and culture of New York City, but when use turns to abuse, problems arise.
Let’s check out the stats about alcohol abuse in New York:
- Over 100,000 people listed alcohol as their main reason for getting treatment for their substance abuse in New York. This accounts for more than one-third of all admissions in the state.
- The age group responsible for the highest rate of alcohol treatment admissions was 51-55-year-olds.
- In a recent survey, more than 18% of adults reported binge drinking in the month prior to being surveyed. This was higher than the national average of 17%.
#5: Fentanyl
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid drug that is causing a ‘crisis within the crisis’ when it comes to overdose deaths. This drug is so strong that people have trouble dosing it correctly, and die from overdose often. To make matters worse, many drug dealers are selling cocaine and heroin that is laced with fentanyl.
Check out these shocking fentanyl stats and stories from New York:
- 2238 people died from synthetic opioid overdose in New York in 2017:
- This number rose from 210 in 2013 and skyrocketed by more than 2,000 people in just 4 years, because of fentanyl.
- Fentanyl is the most common substance found in overdose deaths in the state.
Get Treatment for Substance Abuse in New York
Your drug abuse does not have to be the end of your future. Call Rehab Adviser to get back on the right track today.
Sources
- https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/newmapv1.htm#
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/opioid-summaries-by-state/new-york-opioid-summary
- https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/epi/databrief10.pdf
- https://www.foxnews.com/health/overdose-deaths-up-in-nyc-fentanyl-most-common-substance-identified-report-says
- https://apnews.com/f57bbc469d9f47519f373ee932cfb8a2
- https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/basas/adultdrinkprev2002-2015.pdf