Since 1999, there has been a ~360% increase in deaths due to overdose on illicit drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis, and opioids, as well as prescription medication (“Overdose Death Rates.”).
Alcohol-related deaths have also increased 152% since 1999. “An estimated 95,000 people…die from alcohol-related causes annually, making alcohol the third-leading preventable cause of death in the United States” (“Alcohol Facts and Statistics.”).
If you are struggling with substance abuse, please use any of the resources below to begin your journey towards a healthier life.
ParentUP
ParentUP offers many resources to help teens and young adults dealing with substance abuse issues.
VT Helplink
VT Helplink is a statewide resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services in Vermont.
What is Medetomidine? Medetomidine, also known as "Domitor", is a highly potent alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist primarily used as a veterinary sedative and analgesic. Medetomidine has a rapid onset of action and produces significant sedative, amnestic, and analgesic effects.
What was found? According to a May 2024 public alert from the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), medetomidine has been rapidly proliferating across the United States and Canada, being implicated in the recreational opioid drug supply and has been involved in outbreaks. The report notes that medetomidine has appeared as a fentanyl or heroin adulterant alongside other adulterants such as xylazine. The report notes that heightened sensation and profound bradycardia have been found as effects of recreational medetomidine use.
How is it being discussed? Online discussions on platforms like Reddit reveal that medetomidine is often used in combination with opioids for recreational purposes. Reddit users report that the drug's potent sedative effects are an order of magnitude greater than those of xylazine. Some users mention that medetomidine may have reduced peripheral vasoconstriction and hypertension compared to xylazine. The combined CNS depression of a fentanyl-medetomidine mixture is highlighted by commenters as a major danger, potentially leading to severe respiratory depression and overdose. The discussion also notes that the potency difference between medetomidine and other sedatives like xylazine may not be well understood, leading to unintentional overdoses.
What is lemon tekking? Lemon tekking is a method that involves combining psilocybin-containing mushrooms with lemon juice. Reddit users claim that this process dephosphorylates the psilocybin to create psilocin. The practice reportedly has some secondary effects over standard methods of consuming psilocybin.
What was found? Lemon tekking has seen consistently high activity, in addition to an upward trend on Reddit since late 2023. It has also seen some trending discussion on Twitter.
How is it being discussed? According to online discussion, lemon tekking can significantly alter the standard psilocybin experience. Reddit users report that the lemon juice speeds up the metabolism of the psilocybin, resulting in a faster onset of the trip and increased intensity. However, the duration of the trip is said to be shorter compared to consuming mushrooms without lemon juice. Opinions on the overall experience of lemon tekking vary, with some users preferring this method, while others warn about the potential risks of consuming higher doses when lemon tekking, as the reported increase in potency may lead to an overwhelming experience.
Drug Terms: Lemon tek, lemon tekking
United Ways of Vermont
A program of United Ways of Vermont, Vermont 2-1-1 is a statewide, confidential information and referral helpline that connects callers to available human services including food, shelter and healthcare.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an opportunity to update your knowledge about alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the adverse impact of alcohol misuse on health and society. Alcohol-related problems continue to take a heavy toll on individuals, families, and communities. Researchers estimate that each year there are more than 178,000 alcohol-related deaths, making alcohol a leading preventable cause of death in the United States. In addition, more than 200 disease and injury-related conditions are associated with alcohol misuse.
NIAAA offers a wealth of research-based resources related to alcohol misuse. These resources are free, cover many topics, and are available in multiple languages. Examples include the following:
Facts About Teen Drinking: Designed for teens, this website contains in-depth information about how alcohol affects health, how to identify signs of an alcohol problem, and how to get help.
NIAAA for Middle School: This web resource contains interactive activities to help parents, caregivers, and teachers introduce and reinforce key messages about peer pressure, resistance skills, and other important topics related to underage drinking.
Alcohol and Your Brain: A Virtual Reality Experience: This educational experience shares age-appropriate messages through engaging visuals, informative billboards, and narration.
Kahoot! quiz about underage drinking: This quiz can be taken at home or in the classroom to help teens gain a better understanding of underage drinking. Topics covered in the quiz are negative health consequences associated with drinking, signs of an alcohol problem, and how to find support.
In addition, the Rethinking Drinking website features interactive calculators as well as tips and strategies to cut down or quit drinking. The Alcohol Treatment Navigator walks individuals through the process of finding treatment options and recovery resources. Whether you are seeking more information about what alcohol use disorder is, are thinking about cutting back on alcohol, are a parent looking for information about how to talk to your child about alcohol, or a health care professional looking for how to help patients with alcohol-related problems, NIAAA can help.
During Alcohol Awareness Month, you can also find information across the NIAAA website to learn more about NIAAA-supported research and initiatives. These efforts aim to generate and disseminate fundamental knowledge about the adverse effects of alcohol on health and well-being. Such research is critical in helping us to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems.
“Alcohol Facts and Statistics.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics#:~:text=An%20estimated%2095%2C000%20people%20(approximately,death%20in%20the%20United%20States.
“Overdose Death Rates.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 21 July 2022, https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates.
Substance Abuse Statistics
Among Americans aged 12 years and older, 37.309 million were current illegal drug users (used within the last 30 days) as of 2020.
13.5% of Americans 12 and over used drugs in the last month, a 3.8% increase year-over-year (YoY).
59.277 million or 21.4% of people 12 and over have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year.
138.543 million or 50.0% of people aged 12 and over have illicitly used drugs in their lifetime.
Usership among people aged 12 and over is down 0.4% YoY.
138.522 million Americans 12 and over drink alcohol.
28.320 million or 20.4% of them have an alcohol use disorder.
57.277 million people use tobacco or nicotine products (vape).
25.4% of illegal drug users have a drug disorder.
24.7% of those with drug disorders have an opioid disorder; this includes prescription pain relievers or “pain killers” and heroin).