Startling Addictions Research Available for National Addictions Awareness Week

Chertsey, Quebec (PRWEB) November 23, 2007 -- The third week of November, which is National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW) in Canada, marks a new era for addictions professionals. Newly released information that explores the hearts and minds of those touched by addictions is now available to help prevent and combat all forms of substance abuse. This addictions research sheds light on the nature of addictions by exploring questions like, "What are people searching online about addictions?" and "What can we learn by studying these online searches?"

High-tech social research by the Clear Haven Center of Chertsey, Quebec recently explored over a million queries typed into search engines by people around the globe on the topic of addictions. Exploring topics such as alcohol addiction, methadone detox, and relapse prevention (http://www.clearhavencenter.com/addictions-research/relapse-prevention), startling trends were revealed.

One topic explored was the sheer prevalence of cocaine related searches, with over 120,000 searches per year. Considering that Neilson/NetRatings estimate the number of English speaking active Internet users at around 200 million, this suggests that approximately 1 in 1500 Internet users search cocaine-related concepts every year. Add to that the over 450,000 drug addiction related searches that don't specify the substance and there could be as many as 1 in 500 Internet users searching to understand or resolve cocaine addiction each year.

Cocaine addiction, at 25%, ranks far behind heroin addiction, at 53%, in the prevalence of substance abuse in the United States. Yet, when it comes to the online search frequencies of these two specific phrases, the term "cocaine addiction" is typed into search engines more often - over 115,000 times per year; compared to some 74,000 searches for heroin addiction (http://www.clearhavencenter.com/addictions-research/heroin-addiction). One explanation may relate to the greater prevalence of middle class crack cocaine users vs. heroin users, who simply have more access to the Internet than the more poverty-stricken heroin users and their families.

Top concerns surrounding the side effects of specific drugs (http://www.clearhavencenter.com/addictions-research/drug-alcohol-side-effects) surfaced around Xanax (49,962 searches), Vicodin (29,190), oxycontin (27,950), alcohol (26,803) and methadone (26,448). These searches provide a unique perspective of the possibility of side effects surrounding various drugs.

In a study of all addictions (http://www.clearhavencenter.com/addictions-research/all-addictions-research) (extending beyond alcohol, prescription drugs and narcotics), remarkable numbers showed that the plague of addictions is not limited to the expected substances, including plentiful searches for games (1,326,314), sex (505,353), the Internet (231,922), porn (178,975), gambling (131,336), shopping (32,680) and caffeine (32,722).

Statistics like these highlight the prevalence of addictions in our culture and the need for increased awareness, education, and prevention. Knowing what people are searching for online helps educators, parents, and addictions professionals respond to addiction issues effectively - working from the position of knowledge instead of uncertainty.

For full access to all published research, please visit: http://www.clearhavencenter.com/addictions-research/

This National Addictions Awareness Week, let us renew the fight against substance abuse by sharing information and supporting those in need of assistance.

About Clear Haven Center:

Clear Haven Center is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility near Montreal, Quebec.

Contact:

Dr. Terry Orsten

Clear Haven Center

1-866-397-1717

1601 Rochon Road - Chertsey, QC -

http://www.clearhavencenter.com/addictions-research/

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