Methamphetamine is one of the most widely abused drugs in the country. Despite people knowing that it has some nasty effects, including meth mouth, hallucinations, and skin sores, methamphetamine use continues to grow.
A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), shows that methamphetamine-related overdose deaths almost tripled among those aged 18-64 from 2015 to 2019. In figures, this translates to a rise from 5,526 deaths to 15,489 which represents an increase of 180%.
This alarming statistic shows that people are overdosing on meth more than at any other time before. The same study reveals that the number of those who use meth frequently, i.e. 100 or more days a year increased by 66% during the same period. The use of cocaine and meth together also increased by 60% from 2015-2019. The latter is more worrisome since multiple substance use (using meth at the same time as other drugs) is one of the leading causes of overdose-related deaths.
Other causes of this rapid increase in meth-related overdose deaths include frequent use of the drug as well as an increase in the prevalence of methamphetamine use disorder.
Shift In Population Use
The same study showed that in addition to an increase in meth-related deaths, there’s now a shift in the segment of the population using this drug. Previously, meth was popular among middle-aged white people but now it’s been observed that Alaska Natives and American Indians had the highest prevalence of meth use disorder, meth use, and meth injection.
Furthermore, a check of meth use across different groups shows that meth use disorder without injection doubled among bisexual and gay men and more than doubled among heterosexual men. The same tripled among lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women. The prevalence of meth injection was highest among homosexual men and this is troublesome because sharing injection equipment is one way through which diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, and other bloodborne diseases spread.
More studies need to be done to determine why meth-related overdose deaths and meth use keeps increasing despite the negative effects of the drug on individual health.
Choose Recovery at Impact Outpatient Program
If you, or someone you love, are currently battling meth addiction, Impact Outpatient Program can help. Through an individualized and personalized approach to treatment, our intensive outpatient and outpatient programs will provide you or your loved one with the care you need to begin your life anew.
Admission to our rehab program in Louisville has been simplified to allow those who seek help at our facility to receive it as soon as possible. Additionally, we also offer virtual telemedicine sessions so clients can fit treatment into their lives, even when they can’t attend the treatment sessions in person.
To know more about our addiction treatment programs, get in touch with us as soon as possible. We are ready to help you reclaim your life.