Stress and challenges in daily life often lead individuals to turn to substances as a way to cope. While this may provide temporary relief, it often evolves into drug and alcohol misuse, affecting millions of people across the United States.
This issue not only impacts individuals but also has far-reaching consequences for families and communities, making it a significant public health concern.
At Lumina Recovery, we recognize the complexities of substance use and its profound effects. Understanding the latest statistics on drug and alcohol use in the U.S. helps to raise awareness and foster hope for a brighter future.
Recent Substance Use
The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) highlights the following statistics for current substance use:
59% or 167.2 million people aged 12 or older used products with tobacco, vaped nicotine, consumed alcohol, or took an illicit drug during the past month. Of those individuals:
- 5% or 134.7 million people drank alcohol
- 8% or 47.7 million people used an illicit drug
The widespread substance use highlighted by these statistics underscores a significant public health challenge in the United States. With millions engaging in alcohol consumption and illicit drug use, these numbers emphasize the urgent need for targeted prevention efforts and accessible treatment programs.
Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders (SUD) in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for 2023 showed the following statistics:
17.1% or 48.5 million people aged 12 or older in the United States had a SUD in the past year. This includes:
- 9 million who had an alcohol use disorder (AUD)
- 2 million who had a drug use disorder (DUD)
- 5 million people who had both an AUD and a DUD
Of individuals aged 12 or older with a SUD in the past year:
- 5% or 2.2 million were adolescents aged 12 to 17
- 1% or 9.2 million were young adults aged 18 to 25
- 6% or 37 million were adults aged 26 or older
The significant overlap between alcohol and drug use disorders emphasizes the complexity of addiction and the critical need for integrated treatment approaches. These findings underscore the importance of accessible, age-specific prevention and recovery programs to address this widespread issue effectively.
Alcohol Use
Alcohol use continues to be one of the most prevalent forms of substance use in the United States, according to the 2023 NSDUH. Among the 134.7 million current alcohol users aged 12 or older in 2023, several key trends emerge:
- 6% or 61.4 million current alcohol users reported binge drinking in the past month
- 9% or 1.0 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 engaged in binge drinking
- 7% or 9.8 million young adults aged 18 to 25 engaged in binge drinking
- 7% or 50.6 million adults aged 26 or older reported binge drinking
These trends underscore the importance of targeted prevention efforts and education to reduce alcohol-related harm, especially among vulnerable populations like underage drinkers and young adults.
Illicit Drug Use
Illicit drug use continues to pose significant public health challenges in the United States. The 2023 NSDUH provides detailed statistics about substance misuse, with marijuana and opioids emerging as primary areas of concern:
Marijuana Use
- 8% or 61.8 million people aged 12 or older used marijuana in the past year
- 5% or 12.4 million young adults aged 18 to 25 reported marijuana use
- 8% or 46.5 million adults aged 26 or older used marijuana
Opioid Misuse
- 1% or 8.9 million individuals aged 12 or older misused opioids in the past year
- Among those, 6% or 8.6 million people misused prescription drug pain relievers, while 7.4% or 660,000 people used heroin
- 336,000 individuals misused both prescription pain relievers and heroin
Marijuana contiues to dominate illicit drug use, particularly among young adults, while opioid misuse, though less prevalent, presents severe health risks. The large overlap between prescription pain reliever misuse and heroin use highlights the ongoing need for comprehensive intervention strategies to address opioid addiction.
Fentanyl Misuse
Fentanyl misuse, including both prescription and illegally made fentanyl (IMF), poses a unique and growing concern in 2023. The data reveal:
- 3% or 828,000 people aged 12 or older misused prescription fentanyl or used illegally made fentanyl (IMF) in the past year
- 2% or 627,000 people specifically used IMF
Fentanyl misuse, though statistically lower in prevalence compared to other substances, remains highly dangerous due to its potency and the risk of drug overdose. These findings highlight the critical need for awareness campaigns, enhanced drug testing, and harm reduction strategies to combat fentanyl-related overdoses.
Get Help for Addiction With Lumina Recovery
Understanding the statistics is the first step towards addressing the issue of drug and alcohol misuse in the US. Behind every statistic lies a human being with their unique story, struggles, and strengths.
Our message is one of hope and resilience, emphasizing that with the right support, resources, and treatment at a specialty facility, recovery is not only possible but is a journey worth taking.
At Lumina Recovery, we believe in treating every individual with respect and providing the support they need on their journey to recovery through our plethora of addiction treatments and detox programs.
Contact us today to learn more about how you or a loved one can get help for drug and alcohol addiction.
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