Alcohol Addiction Statistics

  • Approximately 14% of adults in the United States have an alcohol addiction.
  • Among adults with an alcohol use disorder, only about 7.9% receive treatment.
  • Alcohol is a factor in about 40% of violent crimes in the United States.
  • Approximately 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually, accounting for 2.6% of all deaths in the United States.
  • Alcohol abuse costs the United States approximately $249 billion annually.
  • Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for about 29% of all traffic-related deaths in the U.S.
  • Approximately 80% of individuals who meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder have not sought treatment.

Drug Addiction Statistics

  • An estimated 8.5% of adults in the U.S. have a drug use disorder.
  • Opioid addiction affects around 2.1 million adults, accounting for 0.8% of the U.S. adult population.
  • Approximately 7.7% of adults in the United States have a marijuana use disorder.
  • Among adults with a drug use disorder, only about 10.8% receive treatment.
  • Opioid overdoses resulted in over 47,000 deaths in the United States in 2020, representing 67.8% of all drug overdose deaths.
  • Cocaine use affects approximately 2.1% of adults in the U.S.
  • Methamphetamine use affects around 0.6% of adults in the United States.
  • Over 15% of adults in the United States have used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.
  • Non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is more prevalent among adults aged 18 to 25, with a rate of 8.6%.
  • Approximately 80% of individuals with a substance use disorder started using substances before the age of 18.
Source: SAMHSA

Co-Occurring Disorders Statistics

  • About 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders are also affected by substance abuse.
  • Individuals with a substance use disorder are approximately twice as likely to have a mood or anxiety disorder.
  • Among adults with a major depressive episode, 13.2% also have a substance use disorder.
  • Approximately 50% of adults with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
  • People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to develop a substance use disorder.
  • Approximately 37% of adults with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring nicotine dependence.
  • LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience substance abuse than their heterosexual counterparts.

Tobacco Addiction Statistics

  • Approximately 14.4% of adults in the U.S. smoke cigarettes.
  • Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable diseases, accounting for 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S. (about 18.1% of all deaths).
  • Adults with mental illnesses are more likely to smoke cigarettes, with a smoking rate of 36%.
  • Among adults with a substance use disorder, approximately 37% also have a co-occurring nicotine dependence.

Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics

  • Over 15% of adults in the United States have used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.
  • Non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is more prevalent among adults aged 18 to 25, with a rate of 8.6%.
  • Among adults who misuse opioids, 59% obtain them from a friend or family member.
  • Over 30% of adults who misuse prescription opioids also use benzodiazepines.
  • Approximately 80% of heroin users reported misusing prescription opioids before using heroin.
  • Approximately 9.8 million adults in the U.S. report non-medical use of prescription drugs.
  • About 1 in 8 adults who consume alcohol become alcohol-dependent at some point in their lives.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Plastic Surgery Addiction Statistics

  • Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) affects approximately 1-2% of the general population.
  • Studies suggest that between 6-15% of patients seeking cosmetic procedures may have BDD.
  • Among individuals with BDD, approximately 7-15% seek out cosmetic surgery.
  • Plastic surgery addiction or compulsive plastic surgery behaviors are estimated to affect a small subset of individuals with BDD.

Specific Drug Use Statistics

  • Cocaine use affects approximately 2.1% of adults in the U.S.
  • Methamphetamine use affects around 0.6% of adults in the United States.
  • Approximately 7.7% of adults in the United States have a marijuana use disorder.
  • Opioid addiction affects around 2.1 million adults, accounting for 0.8% of the U.S. adult population.
  • Non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is more prevalent among adults aged 18 to 25, with a rate of 8.6%.
  • Prescription opioid abuse affects around 4.7% of adults in the U.S.
  • About 1 in 8 adults who consume alcohol become alcohol-dependent at some point in their lives.
  • Adults aged 26 or older have a higher rate of marijuana use disorder compared to younger adults (6.8% vs. 3.9%).

Gambling Addiction Statistics

  • Approximately 2-3% of the general population struggles with a gambling problem or gambling addiction.
  • An estimated 1-2% of adults meet the criteria for a gambling disorder.
  • Among individuals who engage in gambling activities, approximately 1-4% develop a gambling addiction.
  • The prevalence of gambling addiction is higher among certain populations, such as individuals with substance use disorders and those with mental health conditions.
  • In the United States, around 2-3% of adults are considered to have a gambling disorder.
  • About 3-5% of college students in the U.S. experience gambling-related problems.
  • Men are more likely to develop a gambling addiction than women, with estimates suggesting that 2-3% of men and 1-2% of women struggle with gambling disorders.
  • The risk of developing a gambling addiction increases among individuals who start gambling at a young age.
Source: NCDAS

Video Game Addiction Statistics

  • Approximately 2.6 billion people worldwide play video games.
  • The global video game market was valued at $159.3 billion in 2020.
  • In the United States, 65% of adults play video games.
  • 15% of gamers worldwide exhibit signs of addiction.
  • The average age of a video game addict is 35 years old.
  • China has the highest number of video game addicts, with an estimated 24 million.
  • South Korea has the highest percentage of video game addicts, with 10% of gamers being addicted.
  • 97% of teenagers in the United States play video games.
  • 8.5% of American youth ages 8 to 18 exhibit signs of pathological gaming.
  • Video game addiction affects males more than females, with a ratio of 6:1.

Adult Addiction Demographics

  • Adults with lower incomes are more likely to experience substance abuse.
  • Men are more likely than women to misuse illicit drugs, with rates of 10.9% and 5.8%, respectively.
  • Alcohol addiction is more prevalent in men, with 23.1% affected, compared to 10.6% in women.
  • Adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest rate of illicit drug use (23.5%) compared to other age groups.
  • Adults with lower educational levels are more likely to experience substance abuse.

Treatment and Support

  • Among adults with an alcohol use disorder, only about 7.9% receive treatment.
  • Among adults with a drug use disorder, only about 10.8% receive treatment.
  • Approximately 80% of individuals who meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder have not sought treatment.
  • Over 80% of individuals with a substance use disorder started using substances before the age of 18.
  • Approximately 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders are also affected by substance abuse.
  • About 50% of individuals with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
  • Over 30% of adults who experience chronic pain misuse prescription opioids.
  • Adults with an alcohol use disorder have a co-occurring alcohol use disorder in over 40% of cases.
  • Among adults aged 18 or older with a major depressive episode, 13.2% also have a substance use disorder.
  • Approximately 80% of heroin users reported misusing prescription opioids before using heroin.

Impacts and Costs

  • Substance abuse costs the U.S. healthcare system more than $200 billion each year.
  • The opioid crisis costs the U.S. economy an estimated $78.5 billion per year.
  • Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for about 29% of all traffic-related deaths in the U.S.
  • Alcohol is a factor in about 36% of suicides in the United States.
  • Alcohol abuse costs the United States approximately $249 billion annually.

Vape Addiction Statistics

  • Approximately 21% of adult vapers reported becoming addicted to vaping.
  • Among young adults aged 18 to 24, 37% reported being addicted to vaping.
  • Studies show that 68% of individuals who vape daily become addicted to nicotine.
  • Around 80% of teens who use e-cigarettes report being addicted to vaping.
  • Among individuals who vape and also smoke traditional cigarettes, 95% are addicted to nicotine.
  • Research suggests that 70% of individuals who try vaping become regular users and develop addiction.
  • Among college students who vape, 41% report being addicted to e-cigarettes.
  • A survey revealed that 86% of individuals who vape flavored e-cigarettes are addicted to vaping.
Source: NIH

Addiction Causes Statistics

  • Genetics and Family History:
  • Research suggests that genetics contribute to about 40-60% of a person’s vulnerability to addiction.
  • Having a family history of addiction increases an individual’s risk, with estimates ranging from 40-60% higher compared to those without a family history.
  • Environmental Factors:
  • Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction can increase the risk of developing addiction.
  • Traumatic events, stressful life circumstances, and exposure to drug or alcohol use within one’s environment can also contribute to addiction risk.
  • Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders:
  • Approximately 50% of individuals with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
  • The presence of conditions such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can increase the risk of developing addiction.
  • Peer Influence:
  • Social factors, including peer pressure and influence, can contribute to substance abuse and addictive behaviors.
  • Studies suggest that individuals with friends or family members who engage in substance use are more likely to develop addiction.
  • Early Substance Use:
  • Initiating substance use at an early age, particularly during adolescence, increases the risk of developing addiction.
  • Early substance use can disrupt brain development and increase susceptibility to addictive behaviors.

Source