Needless to say, despite some political and social problems, the United States is still the #1 country in the world for many people. After all, there are so many wonderful opportunities in Americana that you have to sometimes wonder why we are not dangerously overpopulated. From creative hot spots (Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Las Vegas) to technology epicenters (Silicon Valley, New York City, and Columbus), the United States offers a little bit of something for everybody, in the same manner our friends Japan and Australia offer a visit to wild and exotic worlds. So, you can imagine that we would have a pretty good handle on problems like addiction, right? Actually, you would not be wrong, but America does have a unique take on how to deal with this major epidemic. Let’s take a closer look at why addiction is a little bit different here in the United States of America.
Lots and Lots of Experimentation
Whoever coined the phrase “It can’t hurt if you just try it” may have come from the United States, at least if you consider the statistics for drug abuse and addiction here. According to a survey from the World Health Organization, Americans are more likely to experiment with drugs than people from any other nation across the globe. For example:
- 42% of American adults have experimented with marijuana, while 20% of the Dutch have done the same (despite the fact that the Netherlands has a long history of sale/possession tolerance on the federal level).
- 16% of Americans have tried cocaine (the largest percentage in the world). Most European countries have only tried an estimated 1% to 2%.
- 74% of Americans use tobacco.
- Likewise, 5.1% of Americans are addicted to opioids, another example of the danger of the Opioid Crisis on our shores.
Throw the Book at Them
Ironically, the United States also incarcerates more people than several large-scale countries in the world. Based on recent reports, we imprison 2.2 million people, completing dominating Russia’s 676,000 count and India’s 385,000 estimate. Likewise, 17% of America crimes resulting in incarceration are drug-related. However, this percentage does not include the people who have committed dangerous drug crimes.
Always remember that mind-altering drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
