The heroin addiction statistics continue to shock and appall the typical American. Heroin, a derivative of certain types of poppy seeds, is a highly addictive substance. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder and is cut with anything from sugar to baby formula to quinine. Last year, for the first time, the number of drug-related deaths were greater than the number of auto accident fatalities. Other heroin addiction statistics, such as those listed below, are equally scary.
Heroin Related Accidents
Statistics and Information on Heroin Addiction
In 2010, there were nearly 85,000 emergency room visits directly related to heroin use. Also, in 1999, heroin and morphine-related accidents made up 51 percent of ER visits. Use of both has sharply increased since then. Due to the unknown purity of most heroin and the fact that it is cut with an unknown substance, the rate of overdose is particularly high, especially among addicts who have developed a tolerance.
Heroin users typically inject, sniff, snort, or smoke the drug. They often do this three or four times a day. The average addict will spend between 150 and 200 dollars on this drug. The cost often leads to malnutrition, poor hygiene, homelessness, and other economic concerns. Also, due to lack of clean needles, heroin addicts are at a much greater risk of hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. Nearly 80 percent of heroin users inject with a partner. Almost all overdose victims are found alone.
Heroin Addiction Statistics in Children
Heroin addiction statistics pertaining to children are even scarier. The vast majority of heroin users are under the age of 21. In fact, children as young as 13 begin using heroin every day. The average eighth grader knows how and where to get a fix. The number of college students is also increasing at an alarming rate. Babies born addicted to heroin are more likely to use and use at a younger age.
In the United states today, there are nearly 1.2 million people who admit to using heroin sometimes. It is estimated that nearly 600,000 people are in need of heroin addiction treatment. Hopefully, as treatment becomes more widespread, these heroin addiction statistics will become tales of the past.
