Along with the invention of Kool-Aid, Nebraska is also known as a corn-producing state, which is responsible for a vast portion of the state’s agricultural revenue. However, in looking at the narcotics aspect of Nebraska, there is a grave issue at hand, namely, the need for more alcoholics to receive alcohol treatment. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health’s (NSDUH) combined 2002-2003 estimates and 2005-2006 survey results has ranked Nebraska (for the majority of drug use measures) to be at or below the national rates for all age groups. However, the rates on alcohol use and alcohol binging have been steadily above the national rates, especially for individuals age 12 and older and 12 to 17; the rates for these two categories have steadily been among the 10 highest in the country. In Nebraska, there has been a constant significant difference between alcohol abuse and illegal drug abuse, with the latter being less prevalent.

Since 2002, the amount of treatment facilities in Nebraska has remained stable. In 2006, there were 107 treatment facilities; 68 were private nonprofit; 20 were private for-profit; 4 were owned or ran by tribal governments. In 2006, 84 facilities offered outpatient treatment, 40 offered residential care, 1 offered an opioid treatment program, and 22 physicians were authorized to provide buprenorphine treatment in cases of opiate addiction. The chart below depicts the most recent data for treatment admissions in Nebraska, displaying the disturbing fact that alcohol use is rampant in Nebraska.

2005 # 2005 % 2006 # 2006 % 2007 # 2007%

ONDCP Clearinghouse

Nebraska’s rise in alcohol treatment admissions shows that there are many individuals who need help and have sought it. However, this does not offset the fact that there are also several individuals requiring treatment but who refrain from the getting the necessary assistance to promote their well being and lower the state’s staggering statistics.

In addition to the high rates of alcohol dependence treatment admissions, the rates for individuals requiring alcohol-only treatment but did not receive it in the past year has consistently been above the national rate for all age groups, especially for individuals age 12 to 17, which has ranked among the highest in the country. Notably, the rates for individuals requiring drug treatment but did not receive it in the past year have been at or below the national rates, with individuals age 12 to 17 being among the lowest in the country.

Though drug dependence is a problem is Nebraska, alcohol dependence is an even greater one. Individuals facing a drinking problem should seek immediate assistance to prevent damaging and fatal consequences, such as. liver disease and heart failure.

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Resource: www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov