Substance Use and Consequent Problems: Types of Drugs Taken, Addiction, and Treatment

Abstract

This study examined the use of substances, types of substances used, problems associated with substance use, and alcohol and drug treatment. Data were collected from 1,913 adults by way of a quantitative survey. The average age of first use was 15. Nearly nine out ten participants were with other people when they first used. Ten percent of the participants have received professional treatment for alcohol and drug abuse/addiction. Cannabis was the most common first-use substance (44%), with alcohol being second (36%). Alcohol was the substance that has been taken at the highest rates (92%), with cannabis being the second most common (75%). As a group, men had higher rates of having taken substances (e.g., cannabis, cocaine, nicotine), were more likely to report to having problems with substances, and had higher rates of treatment than women. White participants were the most likely to report having used the widest range of substances (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, hallucinogens), to have had problems with substances, and to have received treatment for substance abuse and addiction. Respondents generally reported that substance abuse/addiction is a major problem and that the pharmaceutical companies have played a major role in this. The findings from this study may be of use to those working in the professional treatment fields, such as clinical psychology, alcohol and drug counseling, social work, school counseling, and marriage and family therapy.