Comparative epidemiology of dependence on tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances, and inhalants: Basic findings from the National Comorbidity Survey.

TLDR

Psychoactive substance dependence affects more Americans aged 15‑54 than other psychiatric disorders prioritized in mental health services. This study reports basic descriptive findings on drug dependence epidemiology from the National Comorbidity Survey. The study used a nationally representative sample and standardized diagnostic assessments to enable direct comparison of prevalence estimates. Among 15‑54 year olds, 24% had tobacco dependence, 14% alcohol dependence, and 7.5% inhalant/controlled drug dependence, with about a third of smokers, 15% of drinkers, and 15% of other drug users meeting dependence criteria.

Abstract

Studying prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (3rd ed., rev., American Psychiatric Association, 1987) drug dependence among Americans 15-54 years old, we found about 1 in 4 (24%) had a history of tobacco dependence; about 1 in 7 (14%) had a history of alcohol dependence; and about 1 in 13 (7.5%) had a history of dependence on an inhalant or controlled drug. About one third of tobacco smokers had developed tobacco dependence and about 15% of drinkers had become alcohol dependent. Among users of the other drugs, about 15% had become dependent. Many more Americans age 15-54 have been affected by dependence on psychoactive substances than by other psychiatric disturbances now accorded a higher priority in mental health service delivery systems, prevention, and sponsored research programs. The aim of this article is to report basic descriptive findings from new research on the epidemiology of drug dependence syndromes, conducted as part of the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). In this study, our research team secured a nationally representative sample and applied standardized diagnostic assessments in a way that allows direct comparisons across prevalence estimates and cor