NSDUH underwent a partial redesign in 2015, so there are several measures that broke trends in 2015 as well. For affected measures, data from before 2015 cannot be pooled with 2015 or later. Measures that were not affected can be pooled with any years between 2002 and 2019. The SAMHSA Data Website has more information on the partial 2015 redesign and its effects on estimates. Fourteen (14) drugs are classified as Schedule V. One example of a Schedule V drugs are cough medicines with 100 to 200 ml of codeine per dose. The DEA promotes National Take Back Days, encouraging consumers to hand over their expired and unused medications.

In both 2020 and 2021, rates were highest for non-Hispanic AIAN people; however, the greatest percentage increase in rates from 2020 to 2021 occurred for non-Hispanic NHOPI people. Finally, changes in the methodology of the survey over time has limited the comparability of the estimates across years. Trends in drug use and mental health indicators have multiple breaks, in which the estimates before and after cannot be compared. Substance use topics covered include lifetime, past-year, and past-month use, as well as age at first use, substance use treatment history and perceived need for treatment, and substance use disorders. Respondents are also asked about problems resulting from the use of drugs, perceptions of risks, and potentially protective factors such as participation in drug prevention programs. While younger people are more likely to use drugs, the rate of drug use among people over 40 is increasing faster than it is among younger age grups.

Estimates from the 2021 NSDUH should not be compared with estimates from previous years because the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated methodological changes to the data collection process. All material appearing in this report is mixing suboxone with alcohol in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Some examples of Schedule IV drugs are narcotics, muscle relaxants, and commonly prescribed medications for anxiety and depression, such as alprazolam. For more information, see our report on the average cost of drug rehab.

The percentage of drug overdose deaths that identified the specific drugs involved varied by year, ranging from 75% to 79% from 2000 through 2013, and increasing from 81% in 2014 to 95% in 2021. Additionally, drug overdose deaths may involve multiple drugs; as a result, a death might be included in more than one category when describing the rate of drug overdose deaths involving specific drugs. For example, a death that involved both fentanyl and cocaine would be included in both the rate of drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone and the rate of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine. The NSDUH estimates allow researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and the general public to better understand and improve the nation’s behavioral health. Addressing the nation’s mental health crisis and drug overdose epidemic is a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration and a core pillar of the Administration’s Unity Agenda.

Dependence, Addiction, & Mental Health

Statistics indicate that some demographics and communities face elevated risks of drug abuse and drug disorders. For more information, see our report on alcohol abuse and alcohol-related deaths. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized expansion of Medicare coverage to include opioid treatment programs delivering MAT (medication-assisted-treatment) effective Jan. 1, 2020. A dissociative drug developed as an intravenous anesthetic that has been discontinued due to serious adverse effects. Dissociative drugs are hallucinogens that cause the user to feel detached from reality. An opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seed pod of various opium poppy plants.

1. Marijuana is a psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis sativa plant with the main constituent THC ((delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol) believed to be the primary ingredient producing the psychoactive effect.
2. Between 2020 and 2021, the largest percentage increase in rates occurred among those aged 65 and over (28%).
3. For more information, see our report on alcohol abuse and alcohol-related deaths.
4. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S.
5. Also to protect respondent privacy, some variables are not available, including geographic variables.
6. Dissociative drugs are hallucinogens that cause the user to feel detached from reality.

Trends & Statistics

The 2021 NSDUH national report includes selected estimates by race, ethnicity, and age group. It is the most comprehensive report on substance use and mental health indicators that SAMHSA has released to date. Addressing the nation’s mental health crisis and drug overdose epidemic are core pillars of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unity Agenda. These investments enabled the expansion of lifesaving prevention, treatment, and recovery services and supports in communities throughout the country, including the transition to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in July 2022.

History of NSDUH

NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow explains why we study teen drug use and shares a message to parents & teen influencers. For historical research, data from 1979 through 2014 can also be accessed from the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) at the University of Michigan. Also, in 2002, 2011, and 2021 the new population data from the 2000, 2010, and 2020 decennial Censuses, respectively, became available for use in the sample weighting procedures.

Schedules categorize drugs by their potential for medical use or for abuse. In other words, the likelihood that a user may overdose or develop health issues has no impact on what is a whippet drug its classification as a Schedule I – V drug. Drug abuse and misuse of prescription drugs is generally more prevalent in males than in females. Non-sanctioned/non-medical/non-prescribed use of these controlled substances is considered drug abuse.

Estimates generated from PUFs and Restricted Use data files will not be the same due to the disclosure-avoidance methods applied in PUFs. 2021 NSDUH report includes selected estimates by race, ethnicity, and age and is the most comprehensive key findings report to date. Drugs “with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependance” are classified as Schedule III. This category includes dozens of hormones, synthetic hormones, and hormone derivatives. High-risk behaviors and drug abuse also result in much higher chances of contracting viral infections such substance abuse group activities as hepatitis or HIV. In 2017, the cost of drug abuse in the US was nearly $272 billion, taking into account crime, healthcare needs, lost work productivity and other impacts on society.

As a result, drug overdose death rates presented in this report are not adjusted for race and Hispanic-origin misclassification on death certificates. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. Drug overdose deaths have been rising over the past 2 decades in the United States (1–4). The front page of DrugAbuseStatistics.org features the most noteworthy drug abuse data, including overdose deaths, demographics, mental health, drug abuse treatment programs, and the cost of the War on Drugs.