The leading report on alcohol and illicit drug use among the population, the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (NSDUH), was released recently by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). A wealth of information, covering age groups from 12 years through 65+, is provided. To assist employers in understanding and addressing alcohol and drug use in the workplace, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program highlights select findings from the NSDUH, particularly those that focus on the working age segment of the population.

Of the adults age 18 or older with substance dependence or abuse (20.4 million), the majority was employed full time in 2007 (12.3 million). Overall, an estimated 22.3 million people age 12 or older were classified with substance dependence or abuse. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt’s statement concerning “the importance of our efforts to provide substance abuse treatment to those in need and to encourage health care professionals to identify people who are at risk for developing substance abuse problems and intervene early,” remains important as the number of persons with substance dependence or abuse has been stable since 2002.

Regarding alcohol, most binge drinkers and heavy alcohol users in 2007 were employed. Of the 55.3 million adult binge drinkers, 79.4% were employed either full or part time. Of the 16.4 million heavy drinkers, 79.6% were employed. Overall, more than one fifth of Americans age 12 and over participate in binge drinking, similar to the rate in 2006; and 6.9% of the population age 12 and over are “heavy” drinkers, the same percentage reported in 2006.

Most drug users in 2007 were employed. Of the estimated 17.4 million illicit drug users age 18 or older, 13.1 million (75.3%) were employed full or part time. Young adults (age 18-25) are far more likely to use illicit drugs (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants) and to abuse prescription pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives than adults age 26 or older (19.7% vs. 5.8%). The rate in the overall population age 12 and over is 8%, which is similar to both the 2006 rate of 8.3% and the rates going back to 2002.

Among the age 18-25 group, rates of use dropped significantly from 2006 to 2007 for several drugs: methamphetamine use fell 33% from 0.6% to 0.4%, ecstasy use fell 30% from 1% to 0.7%, stimulant use fell 21% from 1.4% to 1.1%, and cocaine use fell by 23% from 2.2% to 1.7%. Declining rates of use for methamphetamine and cocaine have been noted in the workplace, with drug test positives for methamphetamine declining 50% since 2005 and cocaine dropping 19 percent in 2007 to the lowest levels in the history of this testing system. At the same time that these positive indicators are noted, among the age 18-25 group, the rate of nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers rose 12% to 4.6% in 2007. According to John Walters, director of National Drug Control Policy, “We must act quickly to increase awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse, decrease the illegal diversion of these products, and shore up safer practices for their prescription and distribution.”

The NSDUH also showed a disturbing trend among adults age 50 to 59, with illicit drug use dramatically increasing from 2002 to 2007. For those age 50 to 54, the rate increased from 3.4% to 5.7% (the 2006 peak was not significantly different from the 2007 rate); and for those age 55 to 59, the rate more than doubled from 1.9% to 4.1%.

The NSDUH is performed annually by SAMHSA. Data collection involves questionnaires conducted with a representative sample of the population, specifically 67,870 interviews with residents of households and noninstitutional group living facilities, as well as civilians living on military bases. The complete survey findings can be accessed online at the SAMHSA Web site in HTML or PDF format.

Statistics such as those presented in the NSDUH underscore the fact that the workplace can be a viable setting for reaching individuals who abuse alcohol and drugs.  The U.S. Department of Labor’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program provides resources to help employers and employees work together to keep their workplaces free of the hazards caused by worker drug and alcohol use.  In addition, the program’s Web site offers a number of resources, such as helplines for employees, to help people struggling with drug- and alcohol-related problems find the assistance they need to stop using and be productive members of the workforce and community.