Epidimiology of Substance Use Disorders

The primary source of epidemiological information about substance use in the United States comes from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Department of Health and Human Services, 2002). The survey includes data gathered from interviews of 68,126 subjects. The sample was divided into thirds: adolescents aged 12-17; young adults aged 18-25; and adults aged 26 or older. Due to significant changes as compared to the previous survey, the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, SAMHSA determined that the 2002 findings can not be compared to previous findings (Department of Health and Human Services, 2002).
When current drug use was looked at by age, the rate of use was highest amongst young adults (20.2%). Among adults aged 26 or older, 5.8% reported use. Amongst adolescents, 11.6% were currently using at the time of the survey.
The most commonly used drugs reported were marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin. The study suggests that approximately, 14.6 million people had used marijuana; two million had used cocaine; one million two hundred had used hallucinogens; and 166,000 had used heroin. With regard to alcohol use, the survey indicated that as much as 120 million people drink alcohol. Fifty four million are thought engage in binge drinking and 15.9 million are thought to be heavy drinkers.
The study suggests that 22 million people in the United States would meet criteria for substance abuse or dependence. Most people entering treatment for substance use disorders meet criteria for dependence or abuse to more than one substance (Means et al, 1989; Miller, 1995).