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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Reduce the proportion of people who had drug use disorder in the past year — SU‑15 Data Methodology and Measurement

On this page:  About the National Data  |  Methodology

About the National Data

Data

Data Source:  National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), SAMHSA

Baseline: 3.0 percent of persons aged 12 years and over had an illicit drug use disorder (defined as meeting DSM-IV criteria) in the past 12 months in 2018

Target: 2.7 percent

Numerator
Number of persons aged 12 years and over with illicit drug use disorder (defined as meeting DSM-IV criteria) in the past 12 months.
Denominator
Number of persons aged 12 years and over.
Target-setting method
Minimal statistical significance
Target-setting method details
Minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline.
Target-setting method justification
Trend data were evaluated for this objective, but it was not possible to project a target because the trend was moving away from the desired direction. The standard error was used to calculate a target based on minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline. This method was used because the three existing data points, along with associated measures such as overdose fatalities, suggested that the Minimal Statistical Significance target decrease was an aspirational goal.

Methodology

Questions used to obtain the national baseline data

(For additional information, please visit the data source page linked above.)

From the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:

Numerator:
DRMJ01 – DRMJ22 (Marijuana abuse or dependence)
DRCC01 – DRCC22 (Cocaine abuse or dependence)
DRHE01 – DRHE22 (Heroin abuse or dependence)
DRLS01 – DRLS22 (Hallucinogen abuse or dependence)
DRIN01 – DRIN22 (Inhalant abuse or dependence)
DRME01 – DRME22 (Methamphetamine abuse or dependence)
DRPR01 – DRPR22 (Rx pain reliever abuse or dependence)
DRTR01 – DRTR22 (Rx tranquilizer abuse or dependence)
DRST01 – DRST22 (Rx stimulant abuse or dependence)
DRSV01 – DRSV22 (Rx sedative abuse or dependence)

Methodology notes

"Illicit drug use disorder" is defined as meeting criteria for illicit drug dependence or abuse. Dependence or abuse is based on definitions found in the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). "Illicit drug use" includes the misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics or the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine. Misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one's own; use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription psychotherapeutics do not include over-the-counter drugs.