17.3% of the Population Aged 12 or Older Had a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year.
17.3% of the Population Aged 12 or Older Had a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year.
The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is out and it is painting a horrible picture of our current state of drug use in the United States. This report is a survey conducted annually by SAMSHA and gives us an annual picture of drug use in the US. If you are involved in fighting the scourge of drugs, this report helps you focus your efforts. Below, I’ll break down the high points of the report that I feel are important to you.
Key Findings of the 2022 NSDUH
Substance Use Trends
In 2022, 59.8% of people aged 12 or older reported using substances like tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs in the past month.
Alcohol remained the most commonly used substance, with 48.7% of the population indulging in it.
Illicit drug use was reported by 16.5% of the population, highlighting the ongoing challenge of drug misuse
Illicit Drug Use Patterns
Marijuana emerged as the most commonly used illicit drug, with 22.0% of people aged 12 or older using it in the past year.
The overall illicit drug use rate stood at 24.9%, translating to about 70.3 million people.
Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)
17.3% of the population aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year (this number is just astounding).
Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) and Drug Use Disorders (DUDs) were prevalent, affecting 29.5 million and 27.2 million people, respectively.
The 2022 NSDUH report is a valuable resource for law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in combating drug crime and addressing substance use and mental health issues in communities. By providing detailed, nationally representative data, the survey assists in formulating informed, evidence-based strategies to tackle the complex challenges of drug use and its associated implications on public health and safety.
We invite readers to share their thoughts and experiences in the comments, especially in relation to the application of these insights in their professional practices.