Substance Abuse Trends

TOP 10 LEGAL DRUG ADDICTIONS

People struggling with substance abuse turn to the internet for help and information every day. Whether searching for signs of an addiction, addictions treatment resources, or addict relapse prevention, the ratios within these search statistics help us understand the nature of substance abuse today.

The following table highlights the most common substances found in online searches for addictions to legal drugs. How does this knowledge challenge your assumptions? How can you use this information to prevent addictions in your community?





Top 10 Addictions - Legal Drugs:

1 ULTRAM 629,136 *
2 TRAMADOL 73,240
3 AMBIEN 61,100
4 SOMA 49,378
5 VICODIN 45,588
6 PAXIL 42,997
7 LEVITRA 42,742
8 OXYCONTIN 37,955
9 PROZAC 35,536
10 PERCOCET 24,182

"Honorable Mentions" - The Next 10:

11 MORPHINE 22,708
12 CARISOPRODOL 20,742
13 ZOLOFT 15,661
14 OXYCODONE 15,290
15 XANAX 14,355
16 ATIVAN 13,734
17 HYDROCODONE 13,022
18 METHADONE 12,412
19 ADDERALL 10,360
20 IMITREX 10,071

* Estimated annual searches across all search engines in phrases including 'addiction', 'addictions', 'addict', 'addicting' and 'addictive'.

Searches for Ultram, a potent pain reliever also known as Tramadol, are extremely high. The frequency with which people report addictions to various painkillers is much higher than often assumed.

Methadone, which is commonly used during the treatment of heroin and other opiate addictions, is also commonly searched as an addictive substance.

Additional topics in this series:



Complete analysis of addictions online search trends available at:
http://www.clearhavencenter.com/addictions-research