Connecticut

The state of Connecticut has several serious drug problems, problems which affect not only the substance abusers themselves but everyone else in the state in one way or another. Substance abuse in the state is responsible for both acute and long-term negative health and moral consequences as well as the maybe not so apparent but very real social consequences. To get the problem under control, it is helpful to understand the problem in its entirety. This can include exact specifics about the problem, possible preventative measures which can be taken to avoid substance abuse, and what can be done to fix it. If there is a better understanding of the mechanics of substance abuse and how to prevent and fix it, Connecticut residents will have a much better chance of helping themselves and others achieve a better quality of life.

Like every other part of the country, alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in Connecticut. In fact, the Connecticuts rate of current drinkers is 10% higher than the national average. In addition to the large amount of people consuming alcohol in the state, 16% of adults fit in the category of risky drinkers. Young adults in the state have the highest rates of part-month alcohol use, binge drinking and abuse of and dependence to alcohol. Indulging in alcohol and binge drinking often leads to poor decision making and reckless behavior, such as the 29% of college students in the state who admit to driving a car while drunk, 32% who report skipping class and 36% who report being involved in an altercation or argument while drunk. Youth who arent even of drinking age also show very high rates of alcohol abuse in Connecticut, with 32% of under-age drinkers in the state reporting past month alcohol use and 21% reporting binge drinking.

In terms of other drug abuse in the state, trend data from recent surveys show that marijuana use in Connecticut has increased significantly in recent years, as has heroin use and rates for non-medical use of prescription drugs. Like most other parts of the country, abuse of Prescription drugs has been a worsening problem in Connecticut. The prescription drugs of choice in Connecticut appear to be stimulants, pain medications, tranquilizers and sedatives. Many who abuse prescription drugs in this way are unaware of the potential drug interactions, side effects and serious consequences which can result from such abuse. As a result, abuse prescription drugs is a factor innearly 25% of all drug related emergency departmentvisits and 20% of all drug relatedemergency department deaths in the state (where only one drug was involved), with prescription pain killers being the main culprit.

To avoid the very harsh and serious consequences which result from alcohol and drug abuse at any age, it is important to understand the dangers of substance abuse and possible outcomes. For youth, parents must be vigilant and not let little warning signs of substance abuse slip past them, and attack any indicators of such abuse head on. For residents of Connecticut of any age who are far past the point of prevention and need help now, there are very effective drug rehab programs in the state and surrounding states with proven track records of resolving even the toughest cases of substance abuse. For most, this will require an extensive stay in a private inpatient or residential drug rehab program either locally or elsewhere.