SAMHSA 2022 Survey Data

The latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is from the year 2022. This survey provides comprehensive data on the use of tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, and illicit drugs, as well as mental health issues among the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older. The data from the 2022 survey was released in January 2024 and is available for public use and analysis.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

SUD refers to the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causing significant clinical and functional impairment.

The NSDUH is a pivotal survey commissioned annually to determine the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of drug use and mental health in the U.S.

Key Data Points

  • Prevalence of SUD: An estimated 48.7 million individuals aged 12 or older in the U.S. had an SUD in the previous year, representing 17.3% of this population.
    • Alcohol Use Disorder: About 29.5 million individuals (10.6% age 12 or older) had an Alcohol Use Disorder.
    • Illicit Drug Use Disorder: Approximately 27.2 million people (9.7%) had a Drug Use Disorder.
      • Marijuana Use Disorder: 19 million (6.7%) had a marijuana use disorder.
      • Opioid Use Disorder: 6.1 million (2.2%) had an opioid use disorder.
  • Co-occurring Disorders: Nearly 21.5 million adults had both a mental health disorder and an SUD, emphasizing the intertwined nature of these conditions.

Key Findings

  • Tobacco Use:
    • Approximately 49.6 million people aged 12 or older used tobacco products in the past month, including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and nicotine vaping products.
    • Nicotine vaping among youth and young adults showed significant prevalence, with an increasing trend compared to previous years.
  • Alcohol Use:
    • About 60.0% of people aged 12 or older reported drinking alcohol in the past month.
    • Binge drinking was reported by 23.5% and heavy alcohol use by 6.8% of individuals aged 12 or older.
  • Illicit Drug Use:
    • Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug, with 18.7% of people aged 12 or older reporting past-month use.
    • The use of cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine remained steady, while the misuse of prescription pain relievers showed a slight decline.
    • Marijuana Vaping: The prevalence of marijuana vaping was significant among youth and young adults.

Mental Health

  • Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders:
    • An estimated 21.1% of adults aged 18 or older experienced any mental illness (AMI) in the past year.
    • Serious mental illness (SMI) affected 5.5% of adults aged 18 or older.
  • Mental Health Treatment:
    • About 16.5% of individuals aged 12 or older received mental health services in the past year, including inpatient and outpatient services, prescription medications, and telehealth services.
    • Barriers to treatment included cost, lack of insurance, and stigma.
  • Co-occurring Disorders: Approximately 9.2 million adults had both AMI and a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year.

Emerging Issues

  • Illegally Made Fentanyl (IMF):
    • The 2022 survey included new questions about IMF use. The data indicated a concerning level of IMF use, with users often unaware they were consuming fentanyl.
  • Modes of Marijuana Use:
    • The survey collected data on different methods of marijuana use, including smoking, vaping, dabbing, edibles, tinctures, and topicals.

Demographics and Trends

  • Age and Gender Differences:
    • Substance use and mental health issues varied significantly by age and gender. Young adults (aged 18-25) had the highest rates of substance use, while women were more likely to receive mental health treatment compared to men.
  • Geographic Variations:
    • The survey provided data on regional differences in substance use and mental health issues, highlighting areas with higher or lower prevalence rates and identifying regional trends.

Methodology

  • Survey Design and Data Collection:
    • The 2022 NSDUH employed a stratified sampling design and face-to-face interviews to ensure accurate data collection. The survey included a large sample size of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 and older.
  • Data Availability:
    • The public-use files and detailed reports from the 2022 NSDUH are available for researchers and policymakers. These resources provide comprehensive data for analysis and decision-making.

For more detailed information, you can access the full reports and data files through the following links: