More to Know About: Drugs and Controlled Substances

Highly dangerous yet often misunderstood, substance abuse is a pattern of repeated drug use
that often interferes with health, work, and social relationships. Substance abuse pertains to both
illegal scheduled drugs and controlled substances.

In the past 20 years, opioid abuse has become an epidemic across the United States. Michigan
has passed several laws reducing the risk of jail time and increasing treatment for those with
drug addictions, such as the 2016 Good Samaritan Law. However, there is still a lot to be done
to remove the stigma surrounding drug addiction and to prioritize saving lives over
imprisonment.

Drug Addiction Statistics

• In 2017, there were 2,033 overdose deaths involving opioids – a rate of 21.2 deaths per 100,000 persons. This is higher than the national rate of 14.6 deaths per 100,000 persons.
• According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 19.7 million American adults (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder in 2017.
• Tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug abuse cost more than $740 billion annually in cost related to crime, lost work productivity, and healthcare. Prescription opioid misuse alone in the U.S. costs $78.5 billion a year.
• More than 130 people die every day from drug overdoses. This rate has tripled in the past 20 years.

Identifying Drug Addiction in Kids and Loved Ones

It can be challenging finding out your child or loved one has substance use disorder. While each
one doesn’t definitively indicate drug abuse, these are some general indicators of drug
addiction:

• Difficulties at school/work, disinterest in extracurriculars, declining grades
• Changes in physical appearances, such as wearing inappropriate or dirty clothing and declining hygiene
• Increased paranoia or sudden desire for privacy
• Financial mismanagement
• Defensiveness when asked about substance use
• Changes in appetite and weight loss
• Bloodshot eyes, poor skin tone and appearing exhausted

It’s important to remember that drug abuse doesn’t make anyone a bad person or a “druggie.” They need support, treatment and a will to change.