Mental Health
July 10, 2022
March 20th through the 26th is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW), an annual, week-long event that began in 2010 to help spread awareness about drugs and alcohol. Participants share the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and how addiction to these substances impacts the community — not just the person struggling with addiction.
One thing people are unaware of when it comes to alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) is how prevalent these conditions are within the communities around them. People who don’t struggle with these disorders often misunderstand how addiction truly impacts the lives of those afflicted and the people who care about them most.
If you or someone you love struggles with AUD or SUD, being well-informed can help you with the battle over these addictions. What you don't know could be the difference between saving a life and the alternative. Let's examine some lesser-known facts about drugs and alcohol. The truth may surprise you.
Roughly 27% of students in grades 8 through 12 have used some form of illicit drug at some time throughout their life, with the average age to start experimenting with drugs being 13. Marijuana and alcohol are the most commonly used illicit drugs among teenagers, with approximately 70% of high school seniors reporting it is easy to obtain them.
Fentanyl is an analgesic opioid agonist classification of medication and is prescribed to treat chronic pain with opioid tolerance. "Fentapill" is a combination of the words "fentanyl" and "pill" and usually refers to many types of fentanyl prescription drugs that are manufactured and sold illegally. These fentanyl pills are fake prescription drugs that do not contain real medication.
Instead of medicine, fentapills are typically made from pure fentanyl or a mixture of fentanyl and other addictive substances, such as heroin or cocaine. People can easily obtain these drugs online. They are cheap and can be extremely dangerous - thus posing a huge threat to young people.
Approximately 50% of all suicides, and over 50% of all violent crimes, are caused by alcohol and/or drugs. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, those who attempt suicide reported hopelessness as the key factor.
Painkillers, tranquilizers, and stimulants are the most commonly abused prescription drugs. These include medications such as:
Over 50% of all traffic accidents involve alcohol or drugs and 30% of all traffic fatalities from motor vehicle accidents (MVA) involve drunk drivers. As drugs and alcohol levels rise in your bloodstream, the adverse effect on your central nervous system impairs motor function, causing a delay in your reaction time.
One fact that remains true about drug and alcohol use is that people cannot recover from addiction to these substances without the help of a community of people who support their efforts to remain clean and sober. At Ethos, we provide men like you with a sober living community that offers fellowship as you begin to navigate life free from drugs and alcohol.
Are you or a loved one looking for a sober living community designed specifically for men? Contact us today to speak to one of our knowledgeable and caring recovery specialists.