Pain relievers new drug of choice.

• Position: Addiction - Brief article

While the overall rate of substance abuse treatment admissions among those aged 12 and older in the U.S. has remained nearly the same over the last decade, there has been a 430% rise in the rate of treatment admissions for the abuse of prescription pain relievers during this period, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Washington, D.C.

The rise in treatment admissions related to the abuse of prescription drug pain relievers has occurred in every region of the country, but was highest in Maine, Vermont, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Arkansas, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

Moreover, there have been significant changes in the rates involving specific substances of abuse. For instance, the rate of admissions primarily related to marijuana disorders has climbed 33% from 102 per 100,000 population to 136 per 100,000. On the other hand, the admissions rate for...