Ten percent of U.S. adults in recovery

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NEW YORK, March 12 (UPI) -- Ten percent of all U.S. adults -- 23 million -- consider themselves to be in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse problems, a survey indicated.

The survey by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and the New York state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services asked Americans questions such as "Did you once have a problem with drugs or alcohol, but no longer do?"

The self-reported findings include:

-- 12 percent of men said they were in recovery versus 7 percent of women.

-- More adults ages 35-44 report being in recovery, compared with younger adults ages 18-34 and adults who were 55 years of age or older.

-- The Midwest has a higher prevalence of adults, at 14 percent, who said they were in recovery compared with 7 percent of adults in the South, 11 percent in the West and 9 percent for the Northeast.

-- The study also found no significant difference between parents and adults without children who say they are in recovery.

"I've learned that there is 'a science of addiction, but not a science of recovery.' With the survey, we now have a very strong beginning to developing that science," A.Thomas McLellan, former deputy director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in a statement. "Through past initiatives, we established some sensible definitions of what 'being in recovery' actually means -- and this additional work provides fundamental information on how many people are in recovery."

No survey details were provided.