Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Riverside, California
Riverside County, home to Riverside, California is becoming the biggest drug trafficking distribution center in the United States. Recently, heroin and methamphetamine found on Interstate 10 caused the interstate to close. 6,495 pounds of meth were seized nationally in a recent year. In that same year, 2,394 pounds of meth were seized in Riverside County alone. Even worse, the demand for heroin and meth is increasing.
Riverside’s location along Interstate 10 is a big part of the city’s drug problem. Many of the drugs trafficked from Mexico are transported along the interstate to Los Angeles, Northern California, and other states. Consequently, Riverside’s Interstate 10 is gaining the reputation of being a drug pipeline for illicit substances.
Drug Abuse Trends in Riverside
Riverside county has higher rates of methamphetamine abuse compared to other counties, and these are increasing. Numbers of substance abuse admissions into rehab facilities have increased over the course of 8 years. In 2000, there were a total of 7,417 drug and alcohol admissions per 100,000 people. By 2008, the number increased to 7,741. Marijuana admission rates were 778 per 100,000 in 2000, and gradually rose to 1,559 by 2008.
Heroin admission rates decreased from 2,840 in 2000 to 680 in 2008. Illicit chemicals like cocaine and other drugs have had relatively low rehab admissions per 100,000 people. Additionally, alcohol admissions have slightly decreased from previous years to 1,271 per 100,000 people.
In Riverside, the majority of those affected by alcohol abuse are individuals between 18 and 44 years old, although all ages are affected. Trends also suggest individuals of all genders, ethnicities, and orientations are victims of substance abuse in Riverside County.
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Riverside’s Alcoholism Statistics
Riverside has witnessed high rates of alcohol abuse in various populations. This does not discount underaged victims of alcohol abuse. 18% of Riverside adults report heavy or binge drinking. Binge drinking is a hazardous pattern of drinking too much. It is defined by a man consuming 5 or more drinks in 2 hours or a woman consuming 4 or more drinks per 2 hours.
Statistics for Riverside alcoholism in previous years revealed 40% of men 18 years and older in Riverside County were binge drinking. In contrast, 20% of Riverside women were binge drinkers. In 2008, 11,487 people were arrested for alcohol-related crimes, most whom were males aged 18 to 44.
Binge drinking has many dangerous effects, often leading to a higher risk of alcohol abuse. People who binge drink may do activities that endanger others, such as driving, damaging vehicles, damaging property, and behavioral misconduct.
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How Dangerous Is Binge Drinking?
One of the biggest concerns many have surrounding binge drinking is alcoholism. People who binge drink often can transition to excessive everyday drinking. Once they develop a tolerance to high amounts of alcohol, they can crave more and more alcohol. Alcohol can be used for everyday occurrences or to self-medicate underlying conditions, therefore temporarily seeming to treat depression, trauma, or anxiety. However, alcohol actually makes these conditions dramatically worse in the long term. In addition to risking future alcohol abuse, people who binge drink are at risk of:
- Sexual assault
- Physical assault
- Missing work or school
- Poor work or academic performance
- Suicidal thoughts
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Injuries
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- Exposure to other substances
- Sudden infant death syndrome
- Reckless behavior
- Breast, throat, mouth, and liver cancer
Those suffering with increased binge drinking will also be out of control and may struggle with quitting excess drinking.
Ready For Treatment?
There is always a chance for recovery. The key to freedom from substance abuse is taking action. If you or a loved one suffers from the painful effects of drug and alcohol abuse, contact a treatment provider today. Providers will answer questions on the treatment process and provide information needed to make you trust your decision. Contact a provider today, and begin your journey into freedom.
