Addiction fast facts

• Approximately 1 out of every 8 Americans is living with some form of addiction.
• Of all fatal accidents on roads, more than 50% involve alcohol
• Approximately 15 percent of children under the age of 18 have admitted to experimenting with illegal drugs .
• Alcohol is the most commonly used and widely abused psychoactive drug in the world.
• Ninety percent of muggings and property crimes (theft) are related to drugs . 70 percent of all crimes involving violence were committed by someone under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Violent behaviour attributed to alcohol use accounts for roughly 49% of murders, 52% of rapes, 21% of suicides and 60% of child abuse.
• The average drug addict needs to come up with $200 per day to support his or her addiction.
• Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is a problem for approximately 30 million people in the United States alone.
• Many people, both psychology professionals and laymen, now feel that there should be accommodation made to include psychological dependency on such things as gambling, food, sex, pornography, computers, video games, internet, work, exercise, idolising, watching TV or certain types of non-pornographic videos, spiritual obsession, cutting and shopping.
• Like other chronic diseases, addiction involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.