Statistics on Opium Use and Abuse Around the World

Those who have never considered the use of opium have a hard time realizing just how big of a problem it has become. In addition to the United States, there are millions of people in other parts of the world who use and abuse this category of drugs.

Check out this statistic shared by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA):

“Worldwide opium production has doubled since the mid-1980s, resulting in greater heroin availability, rising purity, and lower prices.”

As production goes up, as it has over the past 30 years, it is only natural to believe that the number of people using the drug is on the rise as well.

The CIA, quoting the UN Drug Control Program, estimates that there are approximately eight million heroin abusers throughout the world. This includes roughly two million in the United States alone, with as many as 800,000 considered addicts.

Opium is widely used in many parts of the world.

Additional statistics have been compiled by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, with the following among the most eye opening:

• More than 13 million people worldwide use opium.
• Opium deaths, such as those related to heroin, account for 80 percent of drug related deaths in Europe.
• In the United States, opiates, primarily heroin, account for nearly 20 percent of drug treatment admission.

Where does it all come from? With so many people using these drugs, it leads to the question of where it is produced. In 2007, Afghanistan was responsible for 93 percent of the world’s opium supply.

Opium Addiction Treatment

These statistics prove that opium use and abuse remains a major problem throughout the world, with millions of users spanning the globe. Not only is there an abundance of people using opium, but it is leading to death in many cases.

Fortunately, there is treatment available for an opium addiction. This is not always something a person wants to go through. It is not always simple to make it through rehab. However, those who stick it out typically find that they are in position to live a better life in the future.

Opium addiction treatment starts with detoxification. From there, the person begins to reclaim their life, focusing on healing the mind and body. Through counseling and therapy sessions, former users gather the tools necessary to avoid going down the same path as before.

If nothing else, these statistics on opium use and abuse should open your eyes as to how big of a problem this remains on a global scale.