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Gender Differences in Substance Dependence and Abuse

 

The NSDUH Report:  Gender Differences in Substance Dependence and Abuse

Highlights:

  • SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use & Health defines substance dependence or abuse using criteria specified in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). These criteria include such symptoms as recurrent drug or alcohol use resulting in physical danger, trouble with the law due to drug or alcohol use, increased tolerance to drugs or alcohol, and giving up or reducing other important activities in favor of drug or alcohol use.
  • Based on SAMHSA's 2003 National Survey on Drug Use & Health, 74.5 million (61%) females aged 12 or older and 30.0 million (70%) males aged 12 or older used alcohol during the past year. Also, 15.2 million (12%) females and 19.8 million (17%) males used an an illicit drug during the past year. Females were less likely than males to be dependent on or abuse alcohol or an illicit drug.
  • Among those aged 12 to 17, 9% of both females and males were dependent on or abusing alcohol or an illicit drug.
  • Among respondents aged 18 or older, males were more likely than females to be dependent on or abusing alcohol or an illicit drug. Among those aged 18 to 25, the rate of dependence or abuse was 26.3% for males and 15.7% for females. Among those aged 26 or older, males were twice as likely as females to be dependent on or abusing alcohol or an illicit drug. The rate of substance dependence or abuse for those age 50 or older was 4.9% for males and 1.5% for females.
  • Among those aged 18 to 49 who were employed full time, the rate of substance dependence or abuse was 15% for males and 8% for females. Among the unemployed, the rate was 23% for males and 12.5% for females.
  • By marital status among those aged 18 to 49, the rate of substance dependence or abuse for those who were married was 10% for males and 4% for females. The rate of substance dependence or abuse among the divorced or separated was 23% for males and 11% for females. Among those never married, the rate of substance dependence or abuse was 24% for males and 16% for females. Among those living with one or more children, the rate of substance dependence or abuse was 11% for males and 5.5% for females.

    Reports on alcohol or drug dependence

    Reports on women

    Other topics

This Short Report, The NSDUH Report:  Gender Differences in Substance Dependence and Abuse, is based on SAMHSA's  National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the Office of Applied Studies (OAS) in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is the primary source of information on the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of drug and alcohol use and abuse and for selected mental health measures in the general U.S. civilian non institutionalized population, age 12 and older.   SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use & Health also provides estimates for drug use and for selected mental health measures by State.

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