The opioid crisis in the United States has justifiably received a significant amount of attention in the media, but some professionals are concerned that this coverage may be drowning out the dangers posed by other substances. Indeed, new research suggests that the two most dangerous addictive substances aren’t opioids at all.
The report, based on data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Office on Crime and Drugs (UNOCD), and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), found that “socially acceptable” substances like nicotine and alcohol, pose a far greater threat to one’s health than illicit drugs like heroin. Specifically, the study found that smoking accounts for more than 110 deaths per 100,000 people, while alcohol accounts for 33 deaths per 100,000 people and illicit drugs account for less than 7 deaths per 100,000 people.
Moreover, the study concluded that alcohol and smoking were responsible for the loss of 250 million years due to premature death, cardiovascular disease, or cancer while illicit drugs were responsible for the loss of tens of millions of years, a small fraction of the loss caused by smoking and alcohol.
Substance addiction is a serious disease that should be treated with professional medical attention. At the Asana Recovery Center, we offer a supervised detoxification and residential treatment program designed to help those struggling with addiction at any stage. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our alcohol and drug treatment program today.
