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. 2008;31(2):100-10.

An epidemiologic analysis of co-occurring alcohol and drug use and disorders: findings from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC)

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An epidemiologic analysis of co-occurring alcohol and drug use and disorders: findings from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC)

Daniel Falk et al. Alcohol Res Health. 2008.

Abstract

The 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) sought to determine the prevalence of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders (AUDs), other drug use and drug use disorders (DUDs), and co-use and co-morbidity in the general adult U.S. population. Findings indicate that 5.6 percent of U.S. adults used both alcohol and drugs in the past year and that 1.1 percent had a co-morbid AUD and DUD. Alcohol use prevalence peaked between the ages of 25 and 44 and declined thereafter. The prevalence of other drug use, co-use, AUDs, DUDs, and co-morbid disorders was highest between the ages of 18 and 24 and declined steadily thereafter. Women and men showed similar trends for alcohol use, drug use, and co-use. Among ethnic/racial groups evaluated, Whites displayed the highest rates of alcohol use and American Indians/Alaskan Natives the highest rates of drug use. For AUDs, DUDs, and co-morbid disorders, rates were highest among American Indians/Alaskan Natives. The prevalence of drug use, weekly drug use, and DUDs increased with increasing levels of alcohol consumption and the presence of AUDs. The proportion of people with AUDs who had a co-morbid DUD varied considerably by drug type. These findings have important implications for the development of prevention and intervention approaches.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prevalence (%) of past-year alcohol use, drug use, and co-use by age and gender in the United States, 2001–2002 NESARC. NOTE: Data are drawn from Table 1.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prevalence (%) of any past-year alcohol use disorder (AUD), drug use disorder (DUD), and co-morbid disorders by age in the United States, 2001–2002 NESARC. NOTE: Data are drawn from Table 2.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A) Prevalence of past-year drug use by past-year drinking characteristics and gender in the United States, 2001–2002 NESARC. B) Prevalence of past-year weekly drug use by past-year drinking characteristics and gender in the United States, 2001–2002 NESARC. C) Prevalence of past-year drug use disorder by past-year drinking characteristics and gender in the United States, 2001–2002 NESARC. NOTE: Data are drawn from Table 3. AA = Alcohol abuse; AD = Alcohol dependence; FD = Former drinker; H = Heavy drinker; L = Light drinker; LA = Lifetime abstainer; M = Moderate drinker.

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