Addiction facts and statistics reveal a nation that is overcome with a variety of addictions (see: Types of Addictions). Cigarettes and alcohol are the most common addictions and can be seen throughout the population, although addiction statistics show they are slightly more common in lower socioeconomic classes. Addiction facts and statistics on alcohol and tobacco include:^1,2

• Alcoholism is present in 20% of adult hospital inpatients
• Alcohol abuse and dependency occurs in about 7.5% - 9.5% of US adults annually
• Alcohol addiction has lifetime prevalence rates of 20% in men and 8% in women
• Nicotine use increases the risk the users is likely to go from alcohol use to alcohol dependency
• Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the US; alcohol is the third
• 28% of men and 24% of women smoke cigarettes
• Tobacco smoking is responsible for one-in-five deaths in the US
• 10 million people have died from smoking-related causes; 2 million from lung cancer alone

Facts and statistics on addiction of illegal drugs are also eye-opening:³

• 8.2% of the US population age 12 and over reported being illicit drug users in 2003. This equates to 19.5 million people.
• 14.6 million people were current users of marijuana in 2003, making it the most commonly used illicit drug.

Facts and Statistics About Impulse Control Disorders

While addiction (see: What is Addiction?) is not specifically defined in the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), impulse control disorders are defined. Impulse control disorders mimic addiction in that they are an obsessive impulse that people compulsively act on. Few people meet the criteria for an impulse control disorder. Some facts and statistics about impulse control disorders include:⁴

• Kleptomania (compulsion to steal) – a prevalence of 0.6% of the population with less than 5% of shoplifters meeting the diagnostic criteria. Kleptomania is more prevalent in women than men.
• Pyromania (compulsion to start fires) – considered extremely rare and is more prevalent in men.
• Gambling (pathological) – is present in an estimated 3% of people. While 30% of those with this impulse control disorder are women, they make up only 2% - 4% of the Gamblers Anonymous membership.
• Intermittent explosive disorder (compulsive aggressive and assaultive acts) – considered very rare with men making up 80% of the population.

Teen Addiction Facts and Statistics

The National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration both conduct surveys to report on teen drug use and addiction facts and statistics. These surveys typically target school-age teens. Some of the facts and statistics on teen drug use include:

• 51% of US teenagers have tried an illicit drug by the time they finish high school.
• Two years running inhalant use has increased in 8th graders; 17.3% report using inhalants at least once in their lifetime.
• About 10% of 12th graders reported non-medical use of hydrocodone (Vicodin) in 2004 and 5% reported non-medical use of oxycodone (Oxycontin).

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There are many types of help for addiction available as no one type is right for everyone. People may also require multiple courses of addiction treatment in order to fully attain control over their addiction. (see: What is Addiction?)

While addiction treatment has been primarily studied in the areas of substance abuse, many of the same therapies are used in other types of addiction as well. Addiction treatments include:

• Psychopharmacology (drug therapy)
• Therapy
• Inpatient rehabilitation
• Outpatient treatment programs
• Support groups
• Self-help programs; lifestyle changes
• Therapeutic community living

Addiction treatment plans often include multiple forms of treatment for the best results. Quality addiction treatment centers will also take into account the possibility that more than one addiction, or mental illness, may be present in an individual.

Addiction Therapy

There are multiple kinds of addiction therapy available. These may occur in addiction treatment centers or through outpatient services. This type of help with addiction focuses on changing thoughts, beliefs and behaviors around the addiction. Addiction therapy may also focus on the underlying issues behind an individual's addiction.

The following types of addiction therapy have been shown effective through scientific study:¹

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – focuses on altering the addict's faulty beliefs which perpetuate the addiction. The goal is to change addiction-related behaviors.
• Multidimensional Family Therapy – an addiction therapy primarily created for adolescent addicts and their families; designed to improve overall family functioning.
• Motivational Interviewing – enhances and capitalizes on an individual's willingness to treat their addiction.
• Motivational Incentives – primarily used in drug addiction treatment. This addiction therapy uses rewards for positive drug screening tests as a motivational tool to continue staying clean.
• Individual and group counseling – a variety of help for addiction can occur in these formats. Common in individual addiction therapy is psychodynamic therapy, while group addiction therapy is often in the form of a support group.

Addiction Rehab

Addiction rehabilitation, or rehab, is simply the process by which an addict gets better. Addiction rehab can happen at residential addiction treatment centers, hospitals or outpatient clinics. There is no standard form of addiction rehab but most programs offer combinations of education, therapy, support and focus on overall health and life skills. The most effective addiction treatment services offer treatment customized for the individual and are available for a longer period of time, such as six months or more.

Overcoming Addiction

While addiction is complex, overcoming addiction is possible with proper addiction treatment. Each person's addiction treatment plan is different and must be adhered to if an addiction is to be overcome. Elements of an addiction treatment plan that require ongoing adherence include:²

• Taking medication as prescribed
• Attending all medical and therapeutic appointments
• Creating a network of people who can support you while you overcome addiction
• Learning about the addiction and its treatment
• Proper diet and exercise
• Reducing life stressors and learning how to cope with stress to avoid relapse
• Getting additional addiction treatment help when needed

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A unified cause of addiction is not known and, in fact, researchers can't even agree on a standard definition of addiction or whether addiction is a disease. The latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) lists substance use disorders, not addiction.¹ Substance use disorders pertain specifically to psychoactive substances such as heroin and tobacco. Impulse control disordersare also listed and are similar to the concept of behavioral addictions.

An "addiction gene" has not been located, but addiction often runs in families suggesting a link between addiction and genetics. Studies on twins also lends support to the impact of genetics on addiction.²

What is an Addictive Personality?

As researchers continue to look at the science of addiction, more addiction theories are found. The idea of an "addictive personality" is one such theory. Addictive personalities are those that are more likely to become addicted to a substance or behavior. It is thought people with addictive personalities have personality traits like:³

• Impulsive behavior
• Nonconformity
• Lack of interest in goals and achievement
• Social alienation
• High stress levels

Addiction and the Brain

The impact of addiction on the brain is better understood for psychoactive substances such as alcohol and cocaine. While each substance impacts the brain differently, the addiction cycle tends to be similar:

• Psychoactive substances initially quickly produce euphoria from the flood of certain chemicals in the brain.
• After the euphoria, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms occur.
• The addict, wishing to again experience the euphoria, or to escape unpleasant withdrawal (craving), is highly motivated to use the substance again.

This cycle is thought to be, in part, because of the reward circuit in the brain. When the brain finds something rewarding (pleasurable), it creates a pleasurable memory and increases the motivation to experience pleasure again. This can alter the brain's neurotransmitters (chemicals). Parts of the brain linked to the reward circuit and addiction include:⁴

• Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
• Nucleus accumbens
• Amygdala
• Locus ceruleus
• Dopaminergic mesolimbic system
• Frontal cortex
• GABAergic inhibitory fiber system (GABA)

Is Addiction a Disease?

Just as an addiction gene has not been found, neither has a satisfactory decision been reached about whether addiction is a disease. Researchers and doctors can't determine what causes addiction or how it should be treated. While the most common model of addiction treatment involves abstinence from the substance, this clearly does not work for behavioral addictions like sex addiction and food addiction (if one considers those to be addictions).

Some experts claim addiction is not a disease due to the faulty assumptions on which the disease model is built, noting many supposed addicts curb usage or become abstinent on their own.⁵ On the other hand, the National Institute on Drug Abuse clearly states addiction is a chronic disease.⁶

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The difficulty in looking for addiction symptoms is that, for a time, the behavior of an addict is often seen as normal (see: What is Addiction?). Someone who is addicted to drugs may simply be seen as partying more. A person who is addicted to gambling may just be seen as blowing off some steam. But in actual fact, when scrutinized, these people are really showing signs of addiction.

The first major sign of addiction or abuse is the effect the addiction has on day-to-day life. The difference between simply using a drug / behavior and abusing or being addicted to the drug / behavior is the addiction causes noticeable problems in the addict's life. A person who only gambles once a month may have to cut out lattes to make up for gambling losses, but the one of the signs of an addict might be charging every credit card to the maximum with no way of paying the money back.

Any time someone chooses an action, behavior or substance to the exclusion of all else, this person is likely an addict.

Addictive Behaviors: One of the Symptoms of Addiction

Most addicts go through a period where they deny their addiction symptoms. It is often up to those around them to spot the addiction signs early and try to persuade the addict get help. Addictive behaviors are some of the most obvious signs of an addiction.

Addictive behaviors can often be seen as obsessions or compulsions. For example, while many people enjoy a cocktail on a Friday after work, most people wouldn't mind if they skipped a Friday or two. Someone with addictive behaviors though, will feel compelled to get a drink – no matter what.

Addictive behaviors include:¹

• Obsessing about the addiction. For example, always talking about it and trying to get others to do it with them.
• Seeking out and engaging in the addiction, over and over, even if it hurts themselves or others
• Not being able to control the addictive behaviors
• Engaging in more of the addiction than desired
• Denial of addictive behaviors and the existence of a problem
• Hiding of the addiction behaviors
• Failure when attempting to stop addiction; relapse

Addiction Symptoms and Signs

In addition to addictive behaviors, addiction symptoms can run deeper. Signs of addiction also exist within the addict themselves. Some of these addiction symptoms will be visible to others, while some may be only apparent to the addict.

Addiction symptoms and signs include:

• Craving
• Compulsivity
• Fixation on addiction
• Loss of control over addiction
• Psychological or physiological withdrawal if not engaging in addiction
• Feeling a need to engage in the addiction more and more
• Low self-esteem
• Feeling a loss of control
• A history of abuse
• Depression or another mental illness

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Types of addiction range from everyday drugs like alcohol and cocaine to behaviors like gambling and stealing. Some types of addiction are specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) while others are more controversial and have been identified by some addiction professionals.

The types of addiction seen with drug use are defined in the DSM-5, but it uses the terms substance abuse and substance dependency. Neither equates to addiction directly but rather, refers to harmful use of substances. Addiction is both psychological and behavioral. Addictions are characterized by craving, compulsion, an inability to stop using the drug and lifestyle dysfunction due to drug use. (read Addiction Definition).

Behavioral addictions are those not involving a substance. This type of addiction can be an impulse control disorder as defined in the DSM-IV-TR or an addiction identified by an addiction professional. Behavioral addictions outside of the DSM-5 are controversial and many don't feel they meet the requirement of being an official addiction.

List of Addictions to Substances

Substance use disorders in the 5 provide a list of addictions relating to the following substances:¹

• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Opioids (like heroin)
• Prescription drugs (sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics like sleeping pills and tranquilizers)
• Cocaine
• Cannabis (marijuana)
• Amphetamines (like methamphetamines, known as meth)
• Hallucinogens
• Inhalants
• Phencyclidine (known as PCP or Angeldust)
• Other unspecified substances

List of Impulse Control Disorders

The DSM-5 lists disorders where impulses cannot be resisted, which could be considered a type of addiction. The following is a list of the recognized impulse control disorders:²

• Intermittent explosive disorder (compulsive aggressive and assaultive acts)
• Kleptomania (compulsive stealing)
• Pyromania (compulsive setting of fires)
• Gambling

List of Addictions - Behavioral

It has been suggested one of the types of addictions is behavioral addiction. The following is a list of behaviors that have been noted to be addictive:³

• Food (eating)
• Sex
• Pornography (attaining, viewing)
• Using computers / the internet
• Playing video games
• Working
• Exercising
• Spiritual obsession (as opposed to religious devotion)
• Pain (seeking)
• Cutting
• Shopping

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The term "addiction" describes a compulsive act which causes harm to the person and those around them and over which the person no longer has control. An example of this is a person who constantly drinks to excess in spite of the fact that it is hurting his family and career. An addict may even deny there is a problem and state they are, "just having fun."(see Addiction Symptoms: Signs of an Addict)

The definition of addiction has historically been applied to substances such as alcohol, cigarettes and drug addiction; however, some researchers now believe the addiction definition can equally be applied to behaviors such as sex and shopping.

When asking "what is addiction," we can turn to The American Society of Addiction Medicine which uses the following addiction definition:¹

"Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry . . . This is reflected in the individual pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors. The addiction is characterized by impairment in behavioral control, craving, inability to consistently abstain, and diminished recognition of significant problems with one's behaviors and interpersonal relationships . . ."

According to this addiction definition, a person can be addicted to any substance, legal or illegal, as well as any behavior the addict finds pleasurable. Addiction is considered a mental illness and can be treated similarly to other mental illnesses with therapy, medication and lifestyle changes.

Addiction and Abuse: What's the Difference?

There is no definition of addiction in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), but substance abuse is defined for drugs like nicotine, heroin, marijuana, alcohol and others.

Substance abuse is defined as any of the following over a 12-month period:²

• Dysfunction in work, school or home because of substance abuse
• Repeated use of substance in dangerous situations
• Substance-related legal problems
• Personal problems as a result of substance use

This definition of abuse can be applied to behaviors as well as substances. Drug abuse or abuse of a behavior describes use that harms the self or others. Addiction is not the same as abuse, however.

More than just abusive use of the drug or behavior, the definition of addiction is characterized by psychological changes and changes to behaviors in daily life such as:

• Craving
• Compulsivity
• Inability to stop; relapse
• Fixation on addiction
• Loss of control over addiction
• Continuing addiction in spite of negative consequences

Impulse Control Disorders and Addiction

While some doctors now believe behavioral addictions can include a wide range of behaviors such as playing video games or exercising compulsively, there are several behaviors that have specifically been identified in the DSM-IV-TR. These behavior disorders are called impulse control disorders; however, their diagnosis tends to mirror an addiction definition.³

Impulse control disorders include kleptomania (compulsion to steal), pyromania (compulsion to set fires), gambling and others.

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"What is drug abuse?" is an important question for any loved one of a person with a possible substance use problem. Drug abuse information clearly states drug abuse is an extreme desire to obtain, and use, increasing amounts of one or more substances. Drug abuse is a generic term for the abuse of any drug, including alcohol and cigarettes.

When considering, "what is drug abuse?" one should remember drug abuse is not the same thing as drug dependence or drug addiction. Drug dependence or addiction indicates a psychological or physical dependence on the drug to function. Drug dependence requires the symptoms of withdrawal if the drug is discontinued, whereas drug abuse does not.¹

Drug Abuse Info - Who Falls Victim to Drug Abuse?

Anyone can become a drug abuser. Drug abuse information indicates that all ethnicities, ages, social groups and genders can have drug abuse problems. Drug abuse is not a character flaw but rather a medical condition that has developed over time. While no one knows why one person becomes a drug abuser while another doesn't, drug abuse does tend to run in families. (read about the causes of drug abuse)

The National Institute on Drug Abuse indicates the following risk factors for developing drug abuse problems (typically seen in adolescence):²

• Unstable home environment, often due to drug abuse or mental illness of the parent
• Poor relationship with parents
• Inadequate supervision over adolescent's activities
• Use of drugs by friends / peers
• Permissive attitude towards their own drug use and the drug use of the adolescent
• Behavioral problems combined with poor parenting
• Poor achievement in school
• Apparent ambivalence or approval of drug use in the school, peer group or community
• Availability of drugs in the community, peer group or home

What Drugs Are Abused?

Drug abuse can be abuse of any chemical substance including cigarettes, inhalants, alcohol and others. Drug abuse information shows both legal and illegal drugs can lead to drug abuse. In short, any drug that can be used can also be a drug of abuse.

Categories of drugs commonly seen in drug abuse cases include:

• Legal, over-the-counter - Includes drugs like alcohol and cigarettes
• Legal, prescription - includes drugs like methadone, oxycodone and Zolpidem
• Chemical - includes drugs like inhalants
• Illegal - includes drugs like marijuana, opiates (like heroin), stimulants (like methamphetamines and cocaine) and hallucinogenics (like acid)

For more drug abuse information, click the "next" article below. For information on:

• Drug Addiction: Risk factors, signs, causes, effects, being an addict, abuse, withdrawl, treatment and more

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The cause of drug abuse is not fully known but likely include genetic predisposition, co-occurring conditions and environmental circumstances. Drug use and experimentation is common in pre-adolescents and adolescents, but only a small percentage of those users will go on to abuse drugs.

Read more detailed information on teenage drug abuse statistics.

Genetics as a Cause of Drug Abuse

While many people use drugs, only a small percentage abuse drugs, but it has been noted drug abuse often runs in families, suggesting genetics is one of the causes of drug abuse. While having parents that abuse drugs puts a child at risk, it is possible for the child to grow up without drug abuse problems. It is also possible to abuse drugs without having any other drug abuser in the family. It is clear genetics alone is not the cause of drug abuse.

Co-Occurring Conditions as Drug Abuse Causes

Drug abuse often occurs alongside other conditions like mental illness. While mental illness itself is not thought to cause drug abuse, one condition may indicate, and be complicated by, the other. One of the causes of drug abuse may be the attempt to manage the symptoms of an underlying mental illness.

For example, a person with depression may repeatedly use a drug to "get high" as an escape from their depressive mood (called self-medication). The depression wasn't the cause of drug abuse, but it was a contributing factor. It is known, however, not everyone with a mental illness abuses drugs so mental illness alone is not the cause of drug abuse.

Environmental Causes of Drug Abuse

There are certain life circumstances, particularly among younger users, that are risk factors for, rather than the direct cause of, drug abuse. Parental abuse and neglect are commonly seen as part of the cause of drug abuse. An adolescent or pre-adolescent may be trying to gain attention from an inattentive parent or escape an abusive one by using drugs; prolonged attempts through drug use can be a cause of drug abuse. A drug user, or the presence of drugs in the home, can also be a major cause of drug abuse.¹

Read more information on drug abuse in teenagers.

Additional risk factors contributing to the causes of drug abuse include:

• Unstable home environment, often due to drug abuse or mental illness of the parent
• A poor relationship with parents
• Use of drugs by friends/peers
• Permissive attitude towards their own drug use and the drug use of the adolescent
• Behavioral problems combined with poor parenting
• Poor achievement in school
• Apparent ambivalence or approval of drug use in the school, peer group or community
• Availability of drugs from friends

Combination of Causes of Drug Abuse

While genetic, environmental and psychiatric causes of drug abuse are possible, it is likely that a combination of risk factors is truly the cause of drug abuse. If a person has a genetic predisposition to drug abuse, that likely indicates one of the parents abuses drugs. This may create an unstable home life and, possibly, emotional or psychological problems. Together, these can become the drug abuse cause.

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Signs and symptoms of drug use and drug abuse are critical to know if you suspect someone is using drugs. Some signs of drug abuse or use are easily seen by those around the drug user, but others are more subtle. It's important to remember though, even if signs and symptoms of drug abuse are seen, only a professional evaluation can truly say if the signs are those of drug abuse and not another behavioral or psychological condition.

Signs of Drug Use and Symptoms of Drug Use

Symptoms of drug use can often be spotted if risk factors for drug use have been identified. Risk factors for drug use include:

• Easy availability of drugs
• Drug users in the family
• Friends who are drug users
• An unhappy home life
• A mental illness

Read more about drug abuse causes.

If a person has these risk factors, it's reasonable to look for symptoms of drug use.

The first sign of drug use is often a change in behavior. The user may lose interest in activities and hobbies and spend more time with friends than at home. Another symptom of drug use is sleeping changes and decreased performance at work or school. These symptoms of drug use may indicate another problem; however, so it's important to talk to the individual directly to confirm what you're really seeing are symptoms of drug use.¹ (read about drug abuse effects)

Other signs and symptoms of drug use include:

• Smell of drugs on person and clothing
• Constant discussion of drugs
• Pressuring others to do drugs
• Frequent washing of clothes, showering or spraying room deodorizer to remove drug smells
• Presence of drug paraphernalia like a pipe, bong or rolling papers
• Changes in mood such as anxiety or depression
• Skin that is cool and sweaty or hot and dry
• Needing more money or unexplained expenses

Drug Abuse Symptoms

While the above are signs and symptoms of drug use, the signs and symptoms of drug abuse tend to be more severe. Signs of drug abuse are more pronounced as the user now has an extreme urge (craving) to use the drug. The user is no longer experimenting with the drug; they now feel a need to use it.

Symptoms and signs of drug abuse vary depending on the specific drug, but typically seen across all drugs is the exclusion of activities in order to use the drug. When the person no longer participates in anything but drug use, it is a clear sign of drug abuse. Further decreased performance in work or school and a vast change in mood and sleep are also signs of drug abuse.

Additional signs and symptoms of drug abuse include:

• Unusual, bizarre behavior
• Abnormal vital signs like respiration, heart rate and blood pressure
• Confusion
• Chest or lung pain
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain
• Diseases such as hepatitis B or C, or HIV from needle-sharing
• Frequent hangovers
• Hiding drugs

Info on teenage drug abuse signs here.

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Drug abuse statistics and drug abuse facts are widely available but are thought to understate the problems of drug abuse as drug behaviors have to be reported by the users themselves. Drug abuse statistics are collected in surveys taken in high school and door-to-door in some neighborhoods. While these provide useful estimates, they are not thought to be the complete numbers.

Statistics on drug abuse show alcohol is the most widely-used and widely-abused drug with two-thirds of adults regularly consuming alcohol and 13% of the US population classified as alcohol addicts. Statistics on drug use show this is actually part of a declining trend.¹

Drug abuse facts show heroin, methamphetamine and prescription drug use and abuse is on the rise, while heavy cocaine use has remained relatively steady. Drug abuse statistics show that between 600,000 - 700,000 people are regular cocaine users.

Drug Abuse Facts and Statistics - Statistics on Drug Abuse

Further statistics on drug abuse paint an alarming picture of drug use and drug abuse, making it clear why the U.S. Surgeon General has outlined controlling drug abuse a top priority, according to the Healthy People 2010 report. Drug abuse statistics likely influencing this decision include:

• One-in-five people who recreationally use alcohol will become dependent on it at some point in their life.
• Up to 20% of people who are treated in an emergency room are thought to have alcohol use problems.
• The National Institute on Drug abuse estimates about 10% of cocaine users go on to become heavy users.²
• There are approximately 750,000 heroin users in the U.S.
• In 1996, it was estimated 25% of people in the U.S. smoke cigarettes.³
• Smoking is responsible for nearly a half million deaths each year.
• Tobacco use costs the U.S. an estimated $100 billion a year, mainly in health care costs.
• In 1992, the total economic cost of alcohol abuse was estimated at $150 billion in the U.S.

Drug Abuse Facts and Statistics - Drug Abuse Facts

Drug abuse facts are typically relayed to young people in middle and high school, but many drug abuse facts don't seem to be sinking in, as shown by the statistics on drug abuse, seen above, and the drug abuse facts, seen below (read: teenage drug abuse). Drug abuse facts include the following:

• Cocaine use peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s and has fallen since.
• Methamphetamine is on the rise in rural areas.
• Methamphetamine is mostly abused by people aged 15 - 25.
• Prescription drug abuse is rising sharply particularly among teenagers.
• The use of "club drugs" such as ecstasy, GHB, Ketamine and LSD is on the rise, particularly among teenagers who, incorrectly, believe these drugs are harmless.

Teen drug abuse statistics here.

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