How people progress from casual, social use to alcohol and drug abuse to full scale addiction is complex. We know that Los Angeles County residents tend to begin their substance use during adolescence often as an experiment (curious). Adolescence is a time when teenagers try new things and many times this means experimentation with cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana. There are four typical reasons why young people continue to drink and use drugs after their initial experiment; relaxation (cope with stress), intoxication (they like the way it makes them feel), to feel grown up and to fit in with their peers.
Addiction and alcoholism at their core are childhood illness. They stem from childhood matters that are anything but childish matters. We know that adolescents at the greatest risk of developing drug and alcohol dependency commonly come from families with a history of substance abuse, suffer from depression or don’t feel like they are in the mainstream.
Alcoholism, prescription drug abuse and illegal drug use causes many societal, familial and personal problems throughout California and the country. Drug and alcohol abuse plays a significant role in just about every other problem facing Los Angeles County such as violent crime, sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), child abuse, child neglect, teen pregnancy, suicide, accidents, injuries, domestic violence, homelessness and mental health disorders.
Los Angeles County teenagers reported two major consequences related to their alcohol and drug abuse; fighting and unwanted/unprotected sex. Approximately one third of all Los Angeles County teenagers reported driving an automobile after drinking or using drugs or being in a car with a driver who recently drank alcohol or used drugs.
Females run a higher risk of being sexually assaulted when under the influence. We know that drugs and alcohol affect women at a more rapid rate than men, primarily due to their lower body weight and lower water density. We also know that female substance abuse is rising at a faster rate than for males. In fact, recent data shows that significantly more young females (12-17 year olds) than young males reported non-medical use of psychotherapeutics; tranquilizers, painkillers, sedatives and stimulants. Another revealing statistic is that approximately 30% of females compared to 35% of males who needed drug treatment received it in the last year.
Los Angeles County teenagers reported two major consequences related to their alcohol and drug abuse; fighting and unwanted/unprotected sex. Approximately one third of all Los Angeles County teenagers reported driving an automobile after drinking or using drugs or being in a car with a driver who recently drank alcohol or used drugs.
Females run a higher risk of being sexually assaulted when under the influence. We know that drugs and alcohol affect women at a more rapid rate than men, primarily due to their lower body weight and lower water density. We also know that female substance abuse is rising at a faster rate than for males. In fact, recent data shows that significantly more young females (12-17 year olds) than young males reported non-medical use of psychotherapeutics; tranquilizers, painkillers, sedatives and stimulants. Another revealing statistic is that approximately 30% of females compared to 35% of males who needed drug treatment received it in the last year.
We know that many more men than women will ultimately succumb to the effects of drugs and alcohol. We know that these effects tend to be much more serious for men. Many Los Angeles County men will shorten their life spans by as much as 25% due to long-term alcohol and drug abuse. Male alcoholics and drug addicts also run a much higher risk of developing diseases such as Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, Hepatitis C, HIV, Beri Beri and others.
Alcohol and drug abuse has a broad and significant impact on the overall health and well being of all Los Angeles County residents. Addictive behaviors drive up Los Angeles County health care costs, crime prevention costs, judicial costs, education costs, etc...
Los Angeles County alcoholism and drug addiction prevention programs promote individual and familial health for all age groups. Many county and public organizations are designing creative and effective solutions to help Los Angeles County residents recover from alcoholism, prescription medication addiction and illicit drug addiction.
The goal of drug addiction and alcoholism prevention is to free alcoholics and drug addicts from their dependence to alcohol and drugs, improve their physical and mental health and develop warning signs to head off relapse.
Alcohol, prescription medication and drug detoxification centers that effectively detoxify their clients in an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab facility tends to show greater results than outpatient alternatives.
Find a drug rehab center or alcohol treatment facility in Los Angeles County by calling our Addiction hotline.
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