How Common is Substance Use?
Illicit Drug Use
Past Year Illicit Drug Use among People Aged 12 or Older in 2018
Most common illicit use
Marijuana: 43.5 million (2018)
Any prescription misuse
1 in 43 (6.2 million)
*Pain relievers are most common misused prescription: (3.3 million)
(2016 Statistics)
Alcohol Binging or Heavy Use
Current, Binge, and Heavy Alcohol Use among People Aged 12 or Older: 2018
Tobacco Use
Past Month Tobacco Use among People Aged 12 or Older in 2018
Young Adult & Adolescent Illicit Drug Use
2 in 5 (13.2 million) young adults (18-25) were past year illicit drug users in 2018
1 in 6 (4.2 million) adolescents (12-17) were past year illicit drug users
Substance Use While Pregnant
U.S. Past Month Substance Use among Pregnant Women (aged 15-44)
Sources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological summary and definitions. Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. SMA 17-5044, NSDUH Series H-52). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR1-2016/NSDUH-FFR1-2016.htm
Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016).Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. SMA 16-4984, NSDUH Series H-51). Retrieved from: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR1-2015/NSDUH-FFR1-2015/NSDUH-FFR1-2015.htm