



Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles, LA Profile
Lake Charles, LA, population 71,757 , is located
in Louisiana's Calcasieu county,
about 53.8 miles from Beaumont and 71.6 miles from Lafayette.
In the 90's the population of Lake Charles has grown by about 2%.
It is Estimated in recent years the population of Lake Charles has been declining at an annual rate of less than one percent.
Reports show that during 2003 property crime levels in the Lake Charles area were higher than Louisiana's average.
The same data shows violent crime levels to be higher than the Louisiana average.
Lake Charles Statistics
Lake Charles Gender Information
Males in Lake Charles: 34,177 (48%)
Females in Lake Charles: 37,580 (52%)
As % of Population in Lake Charles
Race Diversity in Lake Charles
White: 50%
African American: 47%
Asian: 1%
Other/Mixed: 2%
As % of Population in Lake Charles
Age Diversity in Lake Charles
Median Age in Lake Charles: 35.3 (Males in Lake Charles: 33.2, Females in Lake Charles: 37.1)
Lake Charles Males Under 20: 15%
Lake Charles Females Under 20: 14%
Lake Charles Males 20 to 40: 13%
Lake Charles Females 20 to 40: 14%
Lake Charles Males 40 to 60: 12%
Lake Charles Females 40 to 60: 13%
Lake Charles Males Over 60: 8%
Lake Charles Females Over 60: 11%
Economics in Lake Charles
Lake Charles Household Average Size: 2.44 people
Lake Charles Median Household Income: $ 30,774
Lake Charles Median Value of Homes: $ 70,800
Law Enforcement in Lake Charles
Reported crimes in the Lake Charles area during 2003:
Murder and non-negligent man-slaughter: 6
Forcible rape: 43
Robbery: 139
Aggravated assault: 336
Violent crime events per 100,000 people: 739
Burglary: 1,678
Larceny-theft: 2,288
Motor vehicle theft: 197
Arson: 31
Property crime events per 100,000 people: 5,868
Lake Charles Location Information
Elevation: 20 feet above sea level.
Land Area: 32.1 Square Miles.
Water Area: 1.9 Square Miles.
Nearby Towns & Cities to Lake Charles
Westlake 2.3 Miles
Prien 4.6 Miles
Moss Bluff 5.5 Miles
Sulphur 9.6 Miles
Carlyss 10.3 Miles
Iowa 12.2 Miles
Hackberry 17.6 Miles
DeQuincy 20.1 Miles
Fenton 20.3 Miles
Vinton 21.9 Miles
Big Cities Nearest Lake Charles
(Population 100,000+)
Beaumont 53.8 Miles
Lafayette 71.6 Miles
Baton Rouge 124.1 Miles
Pasadena 125.0 Miles
Houston 132.5 Miles
Shreveport 162.1 Miles
Metairie 184.1 Miles
New Orleans 189.0 Miles
Jackson 229.5 Miles
Waco 250.5 Miles
|
Facts
The AIDS virus is also spread through sexual contact; women who have sex with men who inject drugs are at great risk. Today, almost 70 percent of AIDS cases in women are related to either injecting drugs or having sex with a man who injects drugs. AIDS is now the fourth leading cause of death among women. 50.8% of students report current alcohol use. Rohypnol use remains at a low rate compared to other drugs of abuse. Information about rates of Rohypnol use may not be as accurate as rates for other drugs, since at least some people who have taken it remain unaware of it. Also, those who have used it on others may not be reporting it on surveys that ask about individual use. National surveys began including Rohypnol on questionnaires around 1996, when use among people ages 12 to 17 was around 1 percent. Among 8th grade students, use of Rohypnol fell to 0.5 percent in 2000; 0.7 percent reported using it in 2001. Among 12th grade students, use of Rohypnol increased to 1.8 percent in 1998, then fell again, remaining at about 1 percent for the next few years. Addicted users of Rohypnol need to be weaned gradually off the drug, to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. Other sedative medications might be used briefly to help the user withdraw from Rohypnol. Women are more likely than men to receive prescribed drugs that are abused among adult populations. These prescribed drugs are most often antidepressants and pain relievers. Evidence indicates that men and women are at similar risk for becoming addicted to opioids. However, women are far more likely to become addicted to other types of prescription drugs than men. The use of pain relievers is also significant in the elderly; it is well-known that pain is a widespread problem in this age group. Up to one-half of the elderly not living in nursing homes are affected by pain on a regular basis. The American Geriatrics Society also reports that as many as 20% of those over the age of 65 years use prescription pain relievers at least once per week. Furthermore, about 60% of the elderly have taken some type of prescription pain reliever for a minimum of six months. In nursing homes, these rates are even higher. The elderly need greater attention when they receive strong pain-relieving drugs, such as opioids. This is based on the fact that elderly patients are more likely to accidentally misuse prescription drugs than the general population. They are more likely to inaccurately read drug labels and to not follow health-care provider instructions. Generally, the elderly need lower doses of drugs, especially potent drugs, than the general population. Another area of concern in prescription drug abuse is with health-care providers, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists, dentists, and others. These persons have ready access to highly addictive drugs, such as the opioids, and are more vulnerable to such abuse. In addition, these professions are more stressful than average, and this may be a factor in the higher-than-normal rates of abuse in this group. |
Addict
An addict is an individual who has a compulsive urge to use drugs, to the point where they feel they have no effective choice but to continue use. An addict will continue their self destructive behaviors in order to feel good or to avoid
feeling bad. It can dominate their mind, and keep them coming back for more. The addiction can be
different for each addict, depending on their vice and the kind of person they
are.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal is what happens when a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol discontinues use. There are numerous symptoms that take place both physically and emotionally when an addicted individual stops using. Withdrawal can last a few days to a few weeks and may include nausea or vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety. Keep in mind; this only occurs if a person has regular, heavy use of a drug or alcohol. Withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable without professional help. Treatment for withdrawal from alcohol or drugs may require a medical professional to be present. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation is often the best way to overcome withdrawal and its symptoms as well as recovery from drug addiction.
Dependence
Dependence is the compulsive use of a substance despite negative consequences which can be severe; drug dependence is simply excessive use of a drug or use of a drug for purposes for which it was not medically intended. Physical dependence on a substance (needing a drug to function) is not necessary or sufficient to define addiction. There are some substances that don't cause addiction but do cause physical dependence (for example, some blood pressure medications) and substances that cause addiction but not classic physical dependence (cocaine withdrawal, for example, it does not have symptoms like vomiting and chills; it is mainly characterized by depression).
Relapse
Relapse is a term used to describe when an individual who has quit using drugs starts using once again. A relapse can mean just a one time use, a long term continues period of using or anything in between after a period of sobriety has taken place. An individual begins to experience a psychological relapse long before their first use after
quitting. Some things that can lead to relapse both physically or psychologically include: 1. Being in the presence of drugs or alcohol, drug or alcohol users, or places where you used or bought chemicals. 2. Feelings we perceive as negative, particularly anger; also sadness, loneliness, guilt, fear, and anxiety. 3. Positive feelings that make you want to celebrate by using. 4. Listening to others past drug use stories and just dwelling on getting high. 5. Believing that you no longer have to worry (complacent). That is, that you are no longer stimulated to crave drugs/alcohol by any of the above situations or by anything else – and therefore maybe it’s safe for you to use occasionally.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment offers intensive drug addiction help over a period of weeks or months. This form of treatment has some advantages over out-patient treatment, although it may not be suitable for everyone. For example, those who are responsible for caring for young children may be better suited to attendance at an out patient treatment program. Residential treatment offers a safe, drug and alcohol-free environment where individuals can confront their own drug addiction and associated issues, with the help of qualified staff. Therapy usually consists of a mixture of group counseling, individual counseling and an introduction to the principles of a drug recovery program.
|
|

To Find Drug Rehab and Treatment Centers in Lake Charles
Call toll free


Lake Charles Drug Rehab and
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Information
|