Marijuana use rising in U.S., as tobacco use and binge drinking falls
The latest federal survey on drug use and mental health in the United States reveals some interesting shifts in substance consumption patterns. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), Americans are engaging in less binge drinking and tobacco smoking but are increasingly turning to marijuana.
Overall, approximately 48.4 million Americans, representing 16.8% of the population, met the criteria for a substance use disorder in the past year. The most prevalent substance use disorders were related to alcohol, followed by marijuana and opioids.
The NSDUH report, which is released annually, is a comprehensive analysis of the nation’s mental health and substance use habits. This year’s report is particularly significant as it follows the mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services, which resulted in the elimination of the majority of the NSDUH staff.
It is noteworthy that the report acknowledges the contributions of former staff at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration who lost their jobs, along with thousands of other HHS employees who were laid off or accepted buyouts.
The survey indicates a decrease in alcohol use disorder rates, with opioid use disorder and stimulant use disorder remaining relatively stable at 1.7% and 3.1% of the population, respectively.
However, there has been a notable increase in heavy marijuana use. The report reveals that nearly 21 million Americans aged 12 and above, constituting 7.1% of the population, meet the criteria for marijuana use disorder. This marks a rise from the previous year’s rate of 6%. It’s important to note that substance use disorder does not equate to addiction but is characterized by patterns of behavior that indicate harmful substance use.
Despite these concerning trends, the report highlights some positive developments, particularly in the context of reduced drug-related mortality. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that around 78,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in the most recent 12-month period, a significant decrease from the peak of over 110,000 deaths in late 2023.
The report also indicates a slight drop in the percentage of Americans with opioid use disorder who received treatment using medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. This is surprising given the federal government’s efforts to expand access to medication-assisted treatment, which has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of overdose or death among individuals with opioid use disorder.
On the mental health front, trends remained relatively unchanged, with fewer adolescents experiencing major depressive episodes or suicide attempts, while rates of depressive episodes and serious mental illness in adults stayed constant.
In conclusion, while there are some concerning trends in substance use patterns, the overall outlook presented in the NSDUH report suggests a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities for addressing mental health and substance use issues in the United States.
