The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) recently released its findings with decades worth of data, shedding light on drug use and mental health in the United States. According to the report, the per capita rate of high-frequency marijuana use saw a 14-fold increase since 1992. Here are additional key takeaways from the survey:
Substance Use:
- Marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug, with 48.2 million Americans aged 12 or older reporting using it in the past year.
- An an estimated 17.7 million people used marijuana daily or almost daily in 2022, compared to 14.7 million people who drank alcohol at the same rate.
- Alcohol consumption is prevalent, with 139.8 million Americans aged 12 or older reporting drinking in the past year.
- Prescription opioid misuse decreased from 9.7 million in 2017 to 6.1 million in 2020.
- Heroin use remains relatively stable, with approximately 0.5 million Americans reporting use in the past year.
- Methamphetamine use has increased in recent years, with 1.5 million Americans reporting use in the past year.
Jonathan Caulkins, cannabis policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University said, “A good 40 percent of current cannabis users are using it daily or near daily, a pattern that is more associated with tobacco use than typical alcohol use.” According to officials, Caulkins is the author of the study published in the journal Addiction in May.
Mental Health:
- Nearly one in five Americans experienced a mental illness in the past year.
- Major depression is the most common mental illness, affecting 21.0 million Americans in the past year.
- Anxiety disorders are also prevalent, with 41.6 million Americans reporting an anxiety disorder in the past year.
- Suicide ideation remains a concern, with 12.2 million Americans reporting serious thoughts of suicide in the past year.
- Substance use disorders and mental illness often co-occur, with 8.1 million Americans experiencing both in the past year.
The NSDUH findings underscore the need for continued efforts to address substance use and mental health issues in the United States. Comprehensive public health strategies, including prevention, treatment, and recovery support services, are essential to improving the well-being of individuals and communities.
