Substance abuse diagnoses increasing in US

NEW YORK, Oct 23: Possibly driven by a surge in painkiller abuse, the number of drug and alcohol problems diagnosed by US doctors increased by 70 per cent between 2001 and 2009, according to new research. �We know that increases in prescription drug use are a big part of what�s going on nationally. I also think - in our study - the availability of effective treatment is a big part of it as well and likely drawing people into care,� said the study�s lead author Dr. Joseph W. Frank, from Brigham and Women�s Hospital in Boston. (agencies)