Missouri marijuana addiction treatment admissions tower over other drugs and addicts entering Missouri drug rehab programs in 2010. You cannot deny the numbers, they are the fundamentals of predicting the true outcome of any situation. Those that promote for the legalization of Marijuana purport the drug is non-addictive and should be left up to the individual to decide about drug consumption may be suprised to know marijuana addiction treatment admissions more than double that of any other drug.
According to the Treatment Episode Data Set from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration over 9200 people entered a drug rehab in Missouri for marijuana addiction treatment. Although Missouri is below the national average in overall illicit drug dependence there are a significant amount of marijuana addicts needing treatment in Missouri. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health’s 2007-2008 reporting period indicates 264,000 Missouri residents abused marijuana in the past month. 31,000 of these were between 12-17 years of age.
Marijuana addiction is considered a “great risk” by 1,785,000 people in Missouri. 45,000 people try the drug for the first time each year, averaging over 123 people every day, of which 54 are under 18. On the Drug Enforcement Administrations website, Dr Mitchell Rosenthal, Director of the Phoenix House alcohol and drug rehabilitation program states that while 10 % of those who abuse alcohol will become addicted, 75% of illicit drug abusers will get hooked.
This equates to over 41 Missouri youth getting hooked on marijuana each day totaling 15,000 each year. Adding to the problem scientific studies show frequent use of marijuana doubles a teen’s risk of depression and anxiety. Teen using marijuana to address depression issues are more than twice as likely as their peers to abuse or become dependent on marijuana. The numbers don’t lie and in many states marijuana treatment admissions outpace alcohol addiction treatment for the first time ever. Particurarly in states with medical marijuana laws.
Many argue that marijuana is not a gateway drug, well those of us in the rehabilitation and addiction treatment field, having first hand knowledge, know better. While it would be outlandish to say just because you smoke marijuana you are going to get hooked on other drugs, although the chances are much higher, its not for certain. It is for certain nearly 100% of the addicts entering Missouri drug rehabilitation clinics addicted to cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other hardcore drugs started out abusing marijuana.
