Substance Use

Substance use refers to the use of selected substances including alcohol, tobacco products, drugs, inhalants, and other substances that can be consumed, inhaled, injected, or otherwise absorbed into the body with possible detrimental effects.

The Monitoring the Future Study (MTF)--The MTF Study collects information on use of selected substances using self-completed questionnaires to a school-based survey of secondary school students. MTF has tracked 12th graders' illicit drug use and attitudes towards drugs since 1975. In 1991, 8th and 10th graders were added to the study. The survey includes questions on abuse of substances including (but not limited to) marijuana, inhalants, illegal drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and other tobacco products. A standard set of three questions is used to assess use of the substances in the past month. "Past month" refers to an individual's use of a substance at least once during the month preceding their response to the survey.

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)-- The NSDUH conducts in-person interviews of a sample of individuals 12 years of age and older at their place of residence. For illicit drug use, alcohol use, and tobacco use, information is collected about use in past month. For information on illicit drug use, respondents in the NSDUH are asked about use of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin, and prescription-type drugs used nonmedically (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives). A series of questions are asked about each substance: "Have you ever, even once, used [e.g., Ecstasy, also known as MDMA/substance]?" "Think specifically about the past 30 days, from [date] up to and including today. During the past 30 days, on how many days did you use [substance]?" Numerous probes and checks are included in the computer-assisted interview system. Nonprescription medications and legitimate uses under a doctor's supervision are not included in the survey. Summary measures such as "any illicit drug use" are produced.

SOURCE: Health, United States

Related Links
Alcohol Consumption
Cigarette Smoking
Illicit Drug Use

This page last reviewed January 11, 2007