How Does Addiction Affect Lakewood, Colorado?
Lakewood, Colorado, with its population of about 142,000, is a suburb of Denver. At first glance, it might seem like a picturesque and perfect mountain town – perhaps the ideal place to start a family. And Lakewood does deliver on family-friendly fun. From civic groups to excellent schools, this gorgeous town boasts an active social life and a family-friendly ambiance.
Lakewood isn’t as perfect as it appears to be, though. Fully 15% of residents have struggled with drug or alcohol addiction at some point. Alcohol addiction is by far the most common cause of addictive behavior, with about 20% of people who drink eventually developing a dependency. Almost 90% of residents drink, leaving many vulnerable to the scourge of alcohol addiction. And every year, 90,000 Americans die due to alcoholism and its complications. Alcoholism doesn’t just kill addicts, though. It can also kill innocent bystanders; more than 100 people die on Colorado’s roads every year due to drunk driving.
Trailing just behind alcohol as a leading source of addiction are prescription pills. These dangerous substances offer hope to those struggling with chronic and life-threatening diseases. But these drugs require a prescription because of their potential to become dangerously addictive. Whether you abuse drugs that you don’t need or have gotten hooked on a legitimate medical prescription, you need to know that prescription drugs are no safer than illegal street drugs. In fact, prescription drugs kill more people through overdoses than any other class of drug combined.
In 2012, Coloradoans legalized recreational use of marijuana, making them the first state to do so. The result has been a downturn in drug-related crimes, but there are still concerns about the long-term effects of legalization. About half of Coloradoans have smoked marijuana at least once, and of those, between 5% and 15% will become addicted. Marijuana may be a medical treatment and a source of relaxation, but it’s also a powerful and potentially addictive drug.
Addiction in Lakewood is more than just an individual problem, though. Its far-reaching effects extend into the Lakewood community, as well as across international borders. Addicts support organized crime by buying drugs, and help contribute to community blight. Those who use legal drugs can call into question the use and prescription of these drugs, potentially interfering with doctors’ ability to prescribe some medications to their patients. Worse still, your use of drugs may affect people in places you’ve never been, seen, or even heard of. A number of drugs, including marijuana and methamphetamine, help fund international human rights abuses, illegal wars, and even terrorism. Drug rehab in Lakewood is available!