Figure 1. Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Persons Aged 12 or Older Reporting Past Year Abuse or Dependence for Any Illicit Drug* or Alcohol: 2001	Figure 2. Percentages of Persons Reporting Dependence or Abuse among Past Year Users of Specific Drugs: 2001

Types of Illicit Drugs Among past year users of heroin, 50 percent (200,000 persons) abused or were dependent on heroin during the past year (Figure 2). About 25 percent of past year cocaine users (1 million persons) abused or were dependent on cocaine. Among past year marijuana users, about 17 percent (almost 4 million persons) abused or were dependent on marijuana, and 12 percent of prescription–type pain reliever (nonmedical) users (1 million persons) abused or were dependent on this substance.

Demographic Characteristics Rates of abuse of or dependence on alcohol or an illicit drug were highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (18 percent), followed by youths aged 12 to 17 (8 percent) and adults aged 26 or older (5 percent). The highest rate of abuse of or dependence on alcohol or an illicit drug was among 21–year olds (23 percent); prevalence generally decreased with each increasing year of age thereafter (Figure 3). Males aged 12 or older were twice as likely as females to abuse or be dependent on alcohol or any illicit drug (10 percent versus 5 percent, respectively). Rates of abuse or dependence on alcohol or illicit drugs among persons aged 12 or older were highest among American Indians/Alaska Natives (14 percent), followed by Hispanics (8 percent), whites (8 percent), blacks (6 percent), and Asians (4 percent).

Education and Substance Abuse or Dependence In general, among adults aged 18 or older, rates of abuse of or dependence on alcohol or an illicit drug were higher among those who had not completed high school than those who completed high school or college (Figure 4). For instance, 8 percent of those who had not completed high school abused or were dependent on alcohol or illicit drugs during the past year compared with 6 percent of college graduates.

Figure 3. Percentages of Persons Aged 12 or Older Reporting Past Year Abuse or Dependence for Alcohol or Any Illicit Drug,* by Detailed Age Categories: 2001	Figure 4. Percentages of Adults Aged 18 or Older Reporting Past Year Abuse or Dependence for Alcohol or Any Illicit Drug,* by Highest Year of Education Completed: 2001

Table 1. DSM–IV Diagnosis of Substance Abuse or Dependence.

End Note American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Table and Figure Notes Note: Abuse or dependence is based on the definition found in the 4th ed. of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–IV). *Any Illicit Drug refers to marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin, or prescription–type drugs used nonmedically. **Prescription–type pain relievers used nonmedically. Source (all figures): SAMHSA 2001 NHSDA. Source (Table 1): American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) is an annual survey sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 2001 data are based on information obtained from 69,000 persons aged 12 or older. The survey collects data by administering questionnaires to a representative sample of the population through face–to–face interviews at their place of residence. The NHSDA Report is prepared by the Office of Applied Studies (OAS), SAMHSA, and by RTI in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Information and data for this issue are based on the following publications and statistics: Office of Applied Studies. (2002). Results from the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Volume I. Summary of National Findings (NHSDA Series H–17, DHHS Publication No. SMA 02–3758). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Epstein, J.F. (2002). Substance Dependence, Abuse, and Treatment: Findings from the 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA Series: A–16, DHHS Publication No. SMA 02–3642). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies. Also available on–line at http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh.htm Additional tables available upon request.

The NHSDA Report is published periodically by the Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from SAMHSA. Additional copies of this fact sheet may be downloaded from Other reports from the Office of Applied Studies are also available on-line on the OAS home page: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov

This page was last updated on December 31, 2008.