Figure 7.1 is titled "Substance Dependence or Abuse among Persons Aged 12 or Older: 2002 through 2004." It is a bar graph, where substance dependence or abuse by year is shown on the horizontal axis, and the numbers of persons is shown in millions on the vertical axis. Each bar is separated into three sections representing different substance types: both alcohol and illicit drug, illicit drug only, and alcohol only. Tests of statistical significance at the .05 level were performed on the number with substance dependence or abuse between 2003 and 2004 estimates and between 2002 and 2004 estimates; significant results are indicated where appropriate.

Of the 22.0 million persons with substance dependence or abuse in 2002, 3.2 million had dependence or abuse of both alcohol and illicit drugs, 3.9 million of illicit drugs only, and 14.9 million of alcohol only.
Of the 21.6 million persons with substance dependence or abuse in 2003, 3.1 million had dependence or abuse of both alcohol and illicit drugs, 3.8 million of illicit drugs only, and 14.8 million of alcohol only.
Of the 22.5 million persons with substance dependence or abuse in 2004, 3.4 million had dependence or abuse of both alcohol and illicit drugs, 3.9 million of illicit drugs only, and 15.2 million of alcohol only.
Of the 11.5 million persons with substance dependence in 2002, 1.3 million had dependence on both alcohol and illicit drugs, 3.3 million on illicit drugs only, and 6.9 million on alcohol only.
Of the 10.9 million persons with substance dependence in 2003, 1.1 million had dependence on both alcohol and illicit drugs, 3.3 million on illicit drugs only, and 6.5 million on alcohol only.
Of the 11.8 million persons with substance dependence in 2004, 1.4 million had dependence on both alcohol and illicit drugs, 3.4 million on illicit drugs only, and 6.9 million on alcohol only.
The difference between the number of persons with substance dependence in 2004 and 2002 was significant.

Back to Figure 7.1

This page was last updated on May 20, 2008.

SAMHSA, an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's lead agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services in the United States.