[AD] There are various ways one can study addiction. For instance, you might have a researcher who believes that a particular marginalised group is more likely to struggle with alcohol or drugs. Such a person might conduct research to determine whether their theory is valid. Marginalised groups with members who are at risk of succumbing to alcohol or drug addiction can always seek help. For instance, LGBTQ+ addiction treatment is available for individuals in this group who feel that substance abuse or addiction is becoming a problem for them.
Let’s take a closer look at addiction across demographics and what the statistics say about it.
[Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash]
Addiction in Men
It’s possible to break down addiction numbers across many different groups. One might do so by sexuality, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic status, etc. Various researchers have tackled this subject in different ways, but here are some of the findings of a general nature.
In general, illicit drug use happens in the male demographic more than the female one. More men die from alcohol than women, and more of them are hospitalized from alcohol use as well.
Overdose deaths from illicit drugs happen to men more than women. Men are close to two times more likely than women to binge drink alcohol as well.
Addiction in Women
As for women in America, of those with a substance use disorder, 4 in 9 struggled with illicit drugs. Of women between the ages of 18 and 25, more than 16% had what could be considered an alcohol use disorder in the past year.
In the past year, more than 5 million women misused opioids. Among pregnant women from 18-44, marijuana was the illegal drug most commonly used. There are also more than 41 million women in America who have both a diagnosable mental disorder and who also have a substance use disorder.
Addiction in Young Adults and Adolescents
It is also worth looking at addiction in young adults and adolescents. In 2020, 6.3% of adolescents, which includes those from ages 12-17, had a substance use disorder. In young adults, which is those from ages 18-25, that number went up to 24.4%.
By age 25, about 90% of young people tried cigarettes. The numbers also show that young adults are more prone to using illegal drugs than adolescents.
What Do These Numbers Mean?
Since there are virtually limitless ways one might divide up the population, it becomes difficult sometimes to quantify these numbers or to attach meaning to them. Researchers might go into a study trying to prove something about a particular group and their addiction tendencies, but how much use are such studies to the general public?The answer to that question is less than obvious, but one thing is clear. Addiction and abuse are deeply personal behaviors for each person. When someone gets into trouble with alcohol or drugs, what matters is not their age, gender, or any category they fall into. What’s more important is that they get the help they need.
