On Monday the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released results from the 2011 National Survey of Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings. The 162-page report was released in conjunction with National Recovery Month.
The annual study looks at prescription and illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use and measures responses from over 70,000 people. While prescription drug abuse, the legalization of marijuana, and the growing trend of drugged driving were all highlights, alcohol continues to be the #1 drug of abuse in the U.S.
The study looked at recent use (the past month), rates of binge drinking, defined as 5 or more drinks on a single occasion, and heavy drinking, defined as 5 or more binge drinking events in one month. Accessibility, social acceptability, and the fact that alcohol is legally obtained over the age of 21 are all cited as contributing factors to the prevalence of alcohol use.
Some highlights:
- In 2011 just over half of those surveyed—133.4 million individuals—reported consuming alcohol, more than 5 times the number that reported illicit drug use.
- 22% of those surveyed reported binge drinking in the last month.
- 6.2%–15 million people—reported heavy drinking in 2011.
- Rates of binge drinking among young adults declined slightly, while the rate of underage drinking stayed relatively the same.
- Full-time college students ages 18 to 25 were more likely to drink in the last month than part-time students.
- The rate of drinking in the last month and binge drinking for full-time college students was higher than their peers in the same age group, 18 to 25, who are not enrolled in college.
- People employed full-time were more likely to drink in the last 30 days than those who were unemployed. However, binge drinking rates are higher for the unemployed than for those employed full-time.
Knowing that justice-involved populations are at greater risk for drug and alcohol dependence than non-justice involved populations, should more resources be aimed at offenders with substance abuse issues? How do we connect services to an estimated 19 million people who were classified as being in need of substance abuse treatment but did not receive treatment at a special facility?
i have an aquaintence right now that is still on probation for DWI and he has someome else drive him around and he is still drunk almost every night…he has been so good with paying off fines and going to meetings they are going to give him his drivers licence back in november. what do you think he has learned