Among Americans aged 12 years and older, 31.9 million are current illegal drug users (used within the last 30 days.)
• 11.7% of Americans 12 and over, use illegal drugs.
• 53 million or 19.4% of people 12 and over have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year.
• If alcohol and tobacco are included, 165 million or 60.2% of Americans aged 12 years or older currently abuse drugs (i.e., used within the last 30 days).
• 139.8 million Americans 12 and over drink alcohol.
• 14.8 million or 10.6% of them have an alcohol use disorder.
• 58.8 million people use tobacco.
• 31.9 million use illegal drugs.
• 8.1 million or 25.4% of illegal drug users have a drug disorder.
• 2 million people or 24.7% of those with drug disorders have an opioid disorder; this includes prescription pain relievers or “pain killers” and heroin).
Drug abuse and substance disorders are more likely to affect young males.