The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides comprehensive data on substance use, mental health issues, and treatment among the U.S. population aged 12 and older. Conducted annually, the NSDUH offers insights into the behavioural health of the civilian, noninstitutionalised population, helping researchers, clinicians, and policymakers understand and improve national health outcomes.

Key Findings from the 2023 NSDUH

Substance Use

• Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Use: The survey reports on the use of tobacco, alcohol, vaping, marijuana, and other illicit drugs, as well as the misuse of prescription drugs. It highlights the initiation of substance use by type and provides estimates by age group and race/ethnicity.
• Substance Use Disorders (SUDs): The data includes information on the prevalence of SUDs, offering a detailed look at the challenges faced by different demographic groups.

Mental Health

• Major Depressive Episode (MDE) and Mental Illness: The survey examines the occurrence of MDE, any mental illness, and serious mental illness, along with their co-occurrence with substance use and SUDs.
• Suicidality: It also covers suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts, providing crucial data for understanding mental health crises.

Treatment and Recovery

• Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment: The NSDUH provides estimates on the receipt of treatment for substance use and mental health issues, highlighting gaps and opportunities for intervention.

Methodology and Data Presentation

The 2023 NSDUH includes detailed tables presenting national estimates of substance use, mental health, and treatment. These tables cover various age groups and provide statistical tests of differences between 2022 and 2023 data. The survey’s methodology is outlined in a comprehensive report, detailing sample design, data collection procedures, and statistical methods.

Companion Infographic Reports

Two companion infographic reports offer visual representations of the findings. The first report compares key national indicators from 2021, 2022, and 2023, while the second breaks down important indicators by race and ethnicity, using combined data from 2021 to 2023 for greater precision.

Source

SAMHSA