Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues At-A-Glance

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Xanax addiction usually happens by accident. Xanax is available only by prescription, is generally prescribed to aid in the treatment of panic attacks, anxiety disorders, and moderate to extreme stress. The drug works by slowing down the brain, providing a calming effect. Xanax abusers find glory in the drowsy effects the drug produces. However, the short-term effects include loss of concentration and motor skills, and incoherent speech.

Although Arkansas’ rates for alcohol dependence have either stayed at or fell below the national rates, the dependency on illegal drugs (including Xanax) or drug abuse has stayed the same or went above the national rates. The latter was highlighted in the 2005-2006 surveys, which included all age groups.

In 2006, the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (NSSATS) showed that there were 38 private nonprofit treatment facilities, 6 of which were private for-profit. The federal, state, or local government owned or operated the remaining amount. Since 2002, there has been a decline in the number of treatment facilities in Arkansas, shifting from 59 in 2002 to 50 in 2006. This decrease is largely due to the fact the Arkansas lost nine private for-profit facilities.

In 2006, 2 Arkansas facilities offered drug treatment programs for opioid treatment, and 18 physicians and 5 programs were certified to offer buprenorphine as treatment for opiate addiction. 20 facilities offered residential care while 43 out of 50 facilities offered outpatient treatment for many other drug dependencies

NSSATS’ data plus yearly treatment admissions results from the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) reflected in a 2006 survey that Arkansas had a daily total of 3,624 patients in treatment; 84 percent were involved in outpatient treatment. 2 percent of these patients were below 18 years old.

Since 2002, Arkansas has shown a steady increase in the yearly number of treatment admissions; many of these patients were suffering from addiction to more than one substance. The number of individuals addicted to at least three drugs rose from zero in 1992 to 26 percent in 2006.

With regards to alcohol, there has been steady decrease in the number of alcoholics for treatment admissions over the last 15 years. Based on TEDS data, admissions for alcohol dependency only decreased from more than 39 percent (in 1992), rising to above 18 percent (in 2006). Contrarily, there has been a significant increase in admissions for marijuana, methamphetamine, and opiates, excluding heroin.

During 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, the rates for adolescents who suffered from drug dependency but had not received prior year treatment were among the nation’s highest. In Arkansas, the rates for individuals between ages 18 to 25 suffering from prior year serious psychological distress (SPD) have steadily ranked among the country’s highest. Statistics of prior year major depressive episodes (MDE) for all ages besides those age 12 to 17 were also among the nation’s highest. The use of medication for non-medical reasons is obviously a severe problem in Arkansas; one that the abusers should fight and ultimately lower.

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