Addiction Recovery: 1 In 10 U.S. Adults Has Recovered From Drug Or Alcohol Problems, Report Finds

One in 10 U.S. adults was at one time in recovery from drug or alcohol problems, according to a new survey.

The new report, by the Partnership at Drugfree.org and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, shows that there are as many as 23.5 million adults in the U.S. who have at one time had issues with their alcohol consumption or drug use.

"These findings serve as a reminder that addiction is a treatable disease and recovery can be a reality," Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership at Drugfree.org, said in a statement. "We are just scratching the surface here and more research is needed in this area, but we are proud to collaborate with New York OASAS in this meaningful process."

The findings were based on the number of people who responded with "yes" to this question: "Did you once have a problem with drugs or alcohol, but no longer do?" The survey included responses from 2,526 people ages 18 and older from 2011.

Among the findings:

- Twelve percent of men said they are in recovery for drugs or alcohol, compared with seven percent of women.

- Adults ages 35 to 44 reported being in recovery more than younger adults (ages 18 to 34) and older adults (ages 55 and up).

- The U.S. region with the most adults in recovery is the Midwest, with 14 percent of adults saying they're in recovery. The South, on the other hand, has 7 percent of adults reporting being in recovery; the West has 11 percent and the Northeast has 9 percent.

Just last year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration conducted a study showing which states had the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse. The study showed that Colorado has the highest rates of marijuana, alcohol and cocaine use.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance abuse problem and needs help, visit the SAMHSA website to find a substance abuse treatment facility near you.

Comments

[Christina Coad]

10:36 PM on 06/01/2012

And I'm one of them :) I think the people who made comments on the story about giving the naltrexone to heroin addicts who said that people should just let them die should read this.

[alwysonit]

06:59 AM on 03/08/2012

Count me as a survivor, but I don't consider my experiences a tragedy, just lessons in living and coping.

[thegrrrr8est]

01:55 AM on 03/08/2012

And the remaining 90% are still breaking into homes, killing people while driving drunk, ruining the lives of their entire family, assaulting people to get money to fuel their habit, developing incurable psychotic illnesses, sucking up billions of dollars in government aid to the "needy".

Drug users and alcoholics are a cancer on society.

[MDawn]

01:07 PM on 04/06/2012

Must be nice to be so perfect.

[Nick SketchCat Wilson]

01:28 PM on 05/01/2012

Just because someone has an addiction doesn't make them a violent criminal.

[handyhippie65]

11:21 PM on 03/07/2012

you know what is funny? this 10% is only the people who either A, had no self control, and let their fun get out of hand or B, they got caught by the police. it says nothing to the 20-25% of population who use recreational intoxicants with some control, and moderation. who have homes, jobs, and families. they pay taxes, vote, and most important of all, are supposedly "free citizens", living in a "free country".

[Christina Coad]

10:40 PM on 06/01/2012

No. Its not. iS 10% of people who have a disease.

[imlaughlin]

10:54 PM on 03/07/2012

Hmmm ... and California reports 400,000 "medical marijuana" "patients." What a crock.

[luis medinz]

09:01 PM on 03/07/2012

HARD DRUG.12&ALCOHOL.80%POT%OTHERS DRUG 75%

[luis medinz]

08:56 PM on 03/07/2012

WHEN YOU SAID DRUG USER YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHAT DRUG BECAUSE IF YOU SAID HARD DRUG YOU MAY FIND 12 & BEING RECOVER ALCOHOL YES IS A LOT OF 80& BEING RECOVER POT RECOVER 80 &.

[RMForbes]

07:03 PM on 03/07/2012

Not all use of drugs and alcohol is abuse. The overwhelming number of people that use cannabis safely use it for a wide range of medical reasons including stress relief. All of the cannabis use is called abuse because cannabis is labeled an illicit drug without valid medical benefits by our government. This study does not tell the entire truth.

[imlaughlin]

10:56 PM on 03/07/2012

... and I have a bridge over San Francisco Bay for sale.

[RMForbes]

06:14 PM on 03/08/2012

I'm sorry. Did you think this is Craig's List?

[Bruce J Becker]

06:54 PM on 03/07/2012

With Bars arround every corner this is not suprising or news for that matter. Lately the news media really has been scraping the bottom of the barrel so to speak. Like who cares that Hulk Hogan made a porn video - buth there it is on the front page of the AOL site. And OMG lets not forget and Linbaugh calling some one a slut. Now there is something important - Ya right.

[FreeSpeech4All]

04:15 AM on 03/08/2012

Yeah-because Hulk Hogan's supposed porn video and Rush Limbaugh's three-day tirade against an innocent woman who bravely testified for women's' reproductive rights are comparable. It's ignorant people like you who help make this country the mess it is today.

[Bruce J Becker]

12:48 PM on 03/08/2012

I did not say they were comparable - what I at least ment to say was neither Hogan activities nor Limbaugh shooting off his mouth once again are even worth reading about. How about the national debt and what we are really doing about it, or our troops continuing to be in "Harms way' for really no good reason ( I served 4 tours in Vietnam - for what??). Or actions being taken to address the cancer treatment drug shortages because the profits on those drug are not high enough so shortages equal high profits.

As far as Ignorant is concerned perhaps in some areas I am - but clearly I am not alone.

[altsc22]

06:29 PM on 03/07/2012

I really do not believe this report the numbers appear to be too high. Another study to alarm us with.

[Christina Coad]

02:26 PM on 06/02/2012

I do. Addiction is a lot more prevalent than you'd think. Many people just hide it well. It also depends on the persons definition of a drug or alcohol problem. Some people believe a few drinks a week is a problem and have quit they would be included in this number.

[nkp1988]

06:10 PM on 03/07/2012

My mother had a drug and alcohol abuse problem for 25+ years. When a pullover almost two years ago resulted in an aggravated DWI and violation of Leandra's Law, she sought help immediately. Last month, she graduated from drug court and continues to be an example for herself, my youngest sister and to those around her.

[MDawn]

01:09 PM on 04/06/2012

Congratulations to your mother & your family. Addiction is very very hard to overcome.

[Christina Coad]

10:41 PM on 06/01/2012

Congrats to you mom!!!