Easy-Read Summary: Drug Abuse Statistics

 The website you shared, Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), is a useful resource because it brings together data from organizations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It presents the information in an easy-to-read format with charts, summaries, and statistics.

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse means using alcohol or drugs in a way that causes harm to your:

• Health
• Relationships
• Work or school
• Daily life

Sometimes it can lead to a substance use disorder (SUD), where a person finds it very difficult to stop using a drug even when it is causing problems.

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Key Statistics (United States)

According to the latest data:

• Around 47.7 million Americans aged 12 or older used an illegal drug in the previous month.
• Around 70.5 million people used an illegal drug or misused a prescription medicine during the past year.
• More than 1 million Americans have died from drug overdoses since 1999.
• Drug use is most common among young adults aged 18–25.
• Starting drug use before age 15 greatly increases the risk of developing a substance use disorder later in life.

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Types of Drugs

Alcohol

• Legal for adults.
• Can slow down the brain and body.
• Heavy drinking can damage the liver, heart, and brain.

Nicotine

• Found in cigarettes and many vaping products.
• Highly addictive.
• Increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.

Cannabis (Marijuana)

• Used medically and recreationally in some places.
• May affect memory, attention, and coordination.
• Heavy use can lead to dependence in some people.

Opioids

Examples include:

• Morphine
• Codeine
• Oxycodone
• Heroin
• Fentanyl

These drugs:

• Relieve pain.
• Can slow breathing.
• Have a high risk of addiction and overdose.

Stimulants

Examples include:

• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• Prescription ADHD medicines when misused

They:

• Increase energy.
• Increase heart rate.
• Can cause anxiety, paranoia, and heart problems.

Hallucinogens

Examples include:

• LSD
• Psilocybin ("magic mushrooms")

These drugs can:

• Change how people see, hear, and think.
• Cause hallucinations.
• Lead to risky behaviour.

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Why do people misuse drugs?

People may misuse drugs because of:

• Curiosity
• Peer pressure
• Stress
• Trauma
• Mental health problems
• Chronic pain
• Trying to escape difficult emotions

Usually, there is more than one reason.

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Risk Factors

Someone may have a higher risk if they:

• Start using drugs at a young age.
• Have a family history of addiction.
• Have untreated mental health conditions.
• Experience trauma or abuse.
• Spend time around people who regularly misuse drugs.

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Signs Someone May Need Help

• Using drugs more often.
• Needing larger amounts (tolerance).
• Feeling ill when stopping (withdrawal).
• Problems at work or school.
• Money problems.
• Relationship difficulties.
• Secretive behaviour.
• Continuing despite harmful consequences.

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Recovery Is Possible

Many people recover with support.

Treatment may include:

• Talking therapies.
• Support groups.
• Medication.
• Medical detoxification when needed.
• Family support.
• Long-term recovery planning.

Recovery often takes time, and setbacks can happen. Many people recover successfully with the right help.

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For Your Psychology Notes

Key Words

Word	Meaning
Substance	A drug or alcohol that affects the brain.
Misuse	Using a drug in an unsafe or harmful way.
Addiction	Difficulty stopping despite harm.
Tolerance	Needing more of a drug to get the same effect.
Withdrawal	Physical or emotional symptoms after stopping a drug.
Overdose	Taking so much of a drug that it causes serious harm or death.
Recovery	Learning to live well without harmful substance use.

Important Point for Students

Not everyone who tries alcohol or drugs becomes addicted. Addiction develops through a combination of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, and each person's experience is different. Early support, education, and treatment can reduce the risk and improve recovery outcomes.

This topic links closely with the OpenStax Psychology chapter on Substance Use and Abuse and would make an excellent Level 1 learning module for your learning disability and mental health book, especially if paired with Easy Read symbols, real-life examples, quizzes, and case studies.