New research was published recently by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
For residents age 26 or older, Washington D.C. has the highest rate of:
- Alcohol dependence or abuse in past year. (Table B16)
- Illicit drug dependence or abuse in past year. (Table B18)
- Needing but not receiving treatment for illicit drug use in past year. (Table B21)
- Needing but not receiving treatment for alcohol use in past year. (Table B23)
Since Congress and the President are all over age 25, the picture begins to clarify. There are similarities between alcoholism/drug addiction and political malfeasance.
- Craving–A strong need, or urge, to drink. D.C. prostiticians have a strong urge to spend more of our hard-earned money.
- Loss of control–Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun. Have they ever seen a spending bill they didn’t like? What about an opportunity to carve away at the Bill of Rights?
- Physical dependence–Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking. Recent news gave wall-to-wall coverage of doom and gloom prognostications if we don’t borrow more money.
- Tolerance–The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get “high.” Raise the debt ceiling, anyone?
These people don’t need reelection; they need treatment.