Statistics on Substance Use Disorder and Addiction
This page provides the latest statistics on substance addiction in the United States, using data from the 2023 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and other sources. It covers the prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) across various age groups and demographics. The data is regularly updated to reflect the most current findings and trends.
Explore information on addiction causes, rates among different populations, and treatment accessibility. This page aims to offer accurate, up-to-date insights into the challenges of substance addiction, helping to inform and support those affected by these issues.
Quick Links to Statistics
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
According to the 2023 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH):
- 5 million Americans aged 12 and older (16.7%) experienced a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year.
- 2% of Americans aged 12 and older suffered from an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the past year.
- About 2 million Americans (9.7%) aged 12 or older faced a drug use disorder in the past year.
- 4 million adults (7.9%) experienced both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, known as co-occurring disorders.
- 5 million Americans aged 12 and older (16.7%) experienced a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year.
What Are Causes of Addiction?
Several factors contribute to the development of addiction, including:
- Genetics: Genetic predisposition, along with environmental influences, accounts for 40% to 60% of a person’s risk for addiction.
- Environmental Factors: These include chaotic home environments, exposure to abuse, parental substance use, peer pressure, community attitudes toward drugs, and poor academic performance.
- At-Risk Populations: Teenagers and people with pre-existing mental health disorders are more vulnerable to developing substance use disorders.
Addiction Statistics for Different Populations in the United States
Substance use and addiction rates vary by age, gender, ethnicity, and other demographic factors. Here’s a closer look at addiction across various groups based on 2023 data:
Adolescents (Aged 12-17)
- 5% of adolescents (about 2.2 million) experienced a substance use disorder in the past year.
- 757,000 adolescents (2.9%) had an alcohol use disorder.
- 9% (or 2.2 million teens) battled a drug use disorder.
Young Adults (Aged 18-25)
- 1% of young adults (around 9.2 million) had a substance use disorder.
- 1% (5.1 million) had an alcohol use disorder.
- 18% (6.1 million) struggled with a drug use disorder.
Substance use in young adulthood can be a strong indicator of future addiction risks.
Adults (Aged 26 or Older)
- 16.6% of adults aged 26 or older (approximately 37 million) had a substance use disorder.
- 8.6% (19.3 million) experienced a drug use disorder.
- 18% (6.1 million) struggled with a drug use disorder.
Elderly Individuals (Aged 65 or Older)
- 8% of seniors (4.6 million) struggled with substance use disorders.
- Of this group, 4.6% (2.3 million) had an alcohol use disorder, and 3.9% (1.8 million) had a drug use disorder.
Seniors who misuse substances, particularly opioids or benzodiazepines, face a higher risk of suicidal ideation (25%) compared to those who don’t (2%).
Addiction Statistics by Demographics in the United States
Men vs. Women
- 27.7 million men (20%) and 20.7 million women (14.3%) aged 12 and older had a past-year substance use disorder.
- While men are more likely to use drugs, women are more susceptible to rapid dependence on substances like opioids and may experience more intense cravings during recovery.
Black Americans
- 6.1 million Black Americans aged 12 or older (17.6%) had a substance use disorder.
- 9.6% (3.3 million) had an alcohol use disorder, while 11.4% (4 million) struggled with a drug use disorder.
Asian Americans/Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
- 9.2% (1.6 million) of Asian Americans aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder.
- 4.4% had a drug use disorder, and 5.7% had an alcohol use disorder.
Native Americans
- 25.3% (339,000) of American Indians/Alaskan Natives aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder.
- 19.7% had a drug use disorder, while 11.6% struggled with alcohol use disorder.
Hispanic/Latino Americans
- 15.7% (8.2 million) of Hispanic/Latino Americans aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder.
- 9.2% battled alcohol use disorder, while 8.8% had a drug use disorder.
White Americans
- 17.8% (30.4 million) of White Americans aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder.
- 11% had an alcohol use disorder, and 9.6% had a drug use disorder.
Addiction Statistics Among the LGBTQ+ Community
While data from 2023 is still being analyzed, previous surveys show significantly higher rates of substance use disorders in the LGBTQ+ community:
- 26.5% of lesbians, 32.2% of bisexual women, and 32.4% of bisexual men reported having a past-year substance use disorder.
- Substance use disorder rates among straight individuals were 13.8% for women and 20.7% for men.
Criminal Justice and Employment
- 19.8% of full-time employed adults and 19.7% of part-time employees had a substance use disorder.
- 27.9% of unemployed adults battled substance use disorder.
- An estimated 63% of jail inmates and 58% of prison inmates meet the criteria for a substance use disorder.
Veterans Addiction Statistics
- 8% (1 million) of veterans aged 18 or older had a substance use disorder in 2021, with rates higher among younger veterans (ages 18-49).
Addictions to Specific Substances Statistics and Information in the United States
- Alcohol: 28.9 million Americans aged 12 and older (10.2%) battled alcohol use disorder.
- Cocaine: About 1.3 million Americans struggled with a cocaine use disorder.
- Heroin: 587,000 people suffered from a heroin use disorder, with 23% of users developing an addiction.
- Prescription Drugs: 5.3 million people had a substance use disorder involving prescription pain relievers.
- Marijuana: 19.2 million Americans had a marijuana use disorder, with 43.6 million reporting use in the past month.
2023 Addiction Treatment Statistics
- 54.2 million people aged 12 or older needed treatment for a substance use disorder, but only 23% received it.
- 40.1% of those who did not seek treatment cited cost as a barrier, while 55.9% said they weren’t ready to stop using.
Did you know: You insurance could cover the cost of addiction recovery
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