DrugRehab.com provides information regarding illicit and prescription drug
addiction, the various populations at risk for the disease, current statistics and trends, and
psychological disorders that often accompany addiction. You will also find information on spotting
the signs and symptoms of substance use and hotlines for immediate assistance.
Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the individual.
In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer information on
outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of care. In this section, you
will find information and resources related to evidence-based treatment models, counseling and
therapy and payment and insurance options.
Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the
individual. In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer
information on outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of
care. In this section, you will find information and resources related to evidence-based
treatment models, counseling and therapy and payment and insurance options.
The recovery process doesn't end after 90 days of treatment. The transition back to
life outside of rehab is fraught with the potential for relapse. Aftercare resources such as
12-step groups, sober living homes and support for family and friends promote a life rich with
rewarding relationships and meaning.
Our community offers unique perspectives on lifelong recovery and substance use
prevention, empowering others through stories of strength and courage. From people in active
recovery to advocates who have lost loved ones to the devastating disease of addiction, our
community understands the struggle and provides guidance born of personal experience.
Substance abuse is a worldwide epidemic affecting hundreds of millions of people. Drug abuse statistics paint a picture of how many people use drugs, which drugs they use and how often they use them.
In the United States, substance abuse and substance use disorders affect all ages, races, genders and economic backgrounds.
Federal agencies collect, compile and distribute annual studies to help policymakers and public health officials evaluate prevention efforts and develop plans to combat substance abuse.
Drug Abuse Statistics
The vast majority of Americans have tried a substance of abuse — either tobacco, alcohol or an illicit drug — at least once in their lives. Alcohol is by far the most common substance of abuse. It’s followed by tobacco and marijuana as the top three substances of abuse in the nation.
Hard drugs such as hallucinogens and cocaine are the next-most-abused substances, followed by various prescription drugs.
Illicit Drug Stats
As expected with increasing legalization efforts across the country, marijuana consumption increased from 2013 to 2014. However, illicit drug use excluding marijuana remained about the same, and past-year and past-month prescription drug abuse rates decreased slightly.
Types of Illicit Drug Use Among Americans 12 or older in 2013-2014
* No estimate reported or fewer than 100,000
Source: 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
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In 2014, almost half of all Americans reported abusing some kind of illicit drug during their lives. Nearly one third of Americans said they’d used an illicit drug other than marijuana.
Types of Illicit-drug Use Among Americans 12 or Older in 2013-2014
* No estimate reported.
Source: 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
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Alcohol and Tobacco Stats
The number of tobacco users increased very slightly from 2013 to 2014, as did the number of people who reported consuming alcohol. The number of people who admitted binge drinking also increased slightly, but the number of heavy alcohol drinkers slightly decreased.
Tobacco and Alcohol Use Among Americans 12 or Older
– Not Available
Source: 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
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Although more people consumed tobacco products in 2014 than in 2013, the percentage of Americans who consumed them decreased. Alcohol consumption percentages remained about the same.
Tobacco and Alcohol Use Among Americans 12 or Older
– Not available
Source: 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
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Drug-Addiction and Treatment Stats
The number of people suffering from substance use disorders involving illicit drugs increased from 2013 to 2014, with notable increases in people suffering from cocaine addiction, heroin addiction and prescription drug addiction.
The number of people suffering from alcohol addiction decreased slightly overall and across all categorized age groups.
Past-Year Substance Use Disorder Among Americans 12 and Older 2013-2014
* No estimate reported.
Source: 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
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Almost 100,000 more people received treatment for substance use disorders in 2014 compared with 2013. About 2.4 million people received treatment for substance use disorders involving illicit drugs in 2014, up by about 200,000 compared with the year before.
Received Substance-Use Treatment in Past Year, Ages 12 and older, Demographics 2013-2014
Source: 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and HealthBack To Top
Teen Drug Abuse Trends
The Monitoring the Future Survey conducted by the University of Michigan in partnership with the National Institute on Drug Abuse has collected information on high-school drug-abuse rates since 1975.
Lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use has fluctuated from highs in the late ’70s and early ’80s to steady decreases in the ’90s and a leveling off in the 2000s. Excluding marijuana, lifetime illicit drug use and alcohol consumption reached all-time lows in 2014.
Lifetime Prevalence of any Illicit Drug Among High Schoolers in Grade 12:
1975: 55.2%
1980: 65.4%
1985: 60.6%
2005: 50.4%
2010: 48.2%
2011: 49.9%
2012: 49.1%
2013: 49.8%
2014: 49.1%
Lifetime Prevalence of any Illicit Drug Other Than Marijuana Among High Schoolers in Grade 12:
1975: 36.2%
1980: 38.7%
1985: 39.7%
1990: 29.4%
1995: 28.1%
2000: 29.0%
2005: 27.4%
2010: 24.7%
2011: 24.9%
2012: 24.1%
2013: 24.8%
2014: 22.6%
Lifetime Prevalence of Alcohol Use Among High Schoolers in Grade 12:
1975: 90.4%
1980: 93.2%
1985: 92.2%
1990: 89.5%
1995: 80.7%
2000: 80.3%
2005: 75.1%
2010: 71.0%
2011: 70.0%
2012: 69.4%
2013: 68.2%
2014: 66.0%
Drug-Related Costs
The financial impact of substance abuse is astronomical. The country loses billions of dollars every year in workplace productivity, unnecessary health care expenses, criminal justice expenditures and costs related to accidental injuries.
Tobacco Costs:
Tobacco use cost the nation $289 billion to $332.5 billion annually from 2009 to 2012.
Smoking-related illnesses cost the U.S. more than $300 billion in 2014.
Alcohol Costs:
The estimated cost of excessive alcohol consumption was $223.5 billion in 2006, about $1.90 per drink.
About 75 percent of alcohol-related costs are attributed to binge drinking.
Substance Use Disorder Costs:
Substance use disorders cost the country an estimated $276 billion every year.
Most costs come from lost work productivity and health care expenses.
Indirect Costs of Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders in the U.S.
Health Problem
Indirect Cost
Year of Estimate
Alcohol Abuse and Dependence
$134 Billion
1998
Drug Abuse and Dependence
$129 Billion
2002
Mental Health Disorders
$94 Billion
1992
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Incarceration and Drug-Related Arrest Statistics
In 2014, drug-related charges were the most common reason for arrests.
In total, law enforcement arrested about 11.2 million people, including:
1.5 million for drug-abuse violations.
1.1 million for driving under the influence.
414,000 for drunkenness.
321,000 for liquor-law violations.
Nationally, marijuana possession was the most common drug abuse violation. Only 17 percent of federal drug-related arrests were for drug trafficking.
Arrests for drug-abuse violations, percentage distribution by region, 2014
Since the beginning of the war on drugs in the 1970s, the number of people incarcerated in the United States had risen significantly every decade. The number of inmates in federal prisons because of drug charges has recently begun to decline.
Number of Inmates in Federal Prison for Drug-Related Offenses:
1980: 4,749
1985: 9,491
1990: 24,297
1995: 46,667
2000: 74,276
2005: 87,800
2010: 97,800
2014: 95,500
In January 2016, almost 50 percent of all federal inmates in the country were serving sentences for drug-related convictions.
Federal-Prison Inmates in the United States, January 2016
Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
Chris Elkins worked as a journalist for three years and was published by multiple newspapers and online publications. Since 2015, he’s written about health-related topics, interviewed addiction experts and authored stories of recovery. Chris has a master’s degree in strategic communication and a graduate certificate in health communication.
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