For teens ages 12-17, the lifetime LSD rate is down from 3.3 percent of this population to 2.7 percent, the Ecstasy rate is up slightly from 3.2 percent to 3.3 percent, cocaine use is up from 2.3 percent of this population to 2.7 percent, and inhalant use is up from 9 percent in 2001 to 10.5 percent in 2002.
In 2002, the survey found, over 83 percent of youth ages 12-17 reported having seen or heard alcohol or drug prevention messages outside of school in the past year. Youth who had seen or heard these messages indicated a slightly lower past month use of an illicit drug (11.3 percent) than teens who had not seen or heard these types or messages (13.2 percent).
There are 4 million adults who have both a substance use disorder and serious mental illness. In 2002, there were an estimated 17.5 million adults ages 18 or older with serious mental illness. This is 8.3 percent of all adults.
Adults who used illicit drugs were more than twice as likely to have serious mental illness as adults who did not use an illicit drug. Among adults who used an illicit drug in the past year, 17.1 percent had serious mental illness in that year, compared to 6.9 percent of adults who did not use an illicit drug.
Drugs and Mental Illness
Among adults with serious mental illness in 2002, over 23 percent, were dependent on or abused alcohol or illicit drugs. The rate among adults without serious mental illness was only 8.2 percent. Among adults with substance dependence or abuse, 20.4 percent had serious mental illness, compared with 7 percent among adults who were not dependent on or abusing alcohol or drugs.The survey is based on interviews with 68,126 respondents who were interviewed in their homes. This includes persons residing in dormitories or homeless shelters. The interviews represent 98 percent of the population ages 12 and older. Not included in the survey are persons in the active military, in prisons or other institutionalized populations or who are homeless.
Recovery Month is a celebration of the accomplishments of people in recovery. Since its inception, it has highlighted the strides made in substance abuse treatment. This year's theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Health" emphasizes that addiction to alcohol and drugs is a chronic, but treatable, public health problem that affects everyone in the community. Recovery Month is celebrated to promote the message of recovery, applaud the courage of people in recovery and recognize the contributions of treatment providers. More than 90 organizations and individuals partner with SAMHSA in the Recovery Month planning process.
Findings from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health are available online.
Part One: 22 Million Substance Abusers
