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1993-2003 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) Report of Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions

Chapter 3
Characteristics of Admissions: 2003

This chapter highlights important findings in the 2003 TEDS data. The tables include all items in the TEDS Minimum Data Set [Tables 3.1a-3.7] and Supplemental Data Set [Tables 3.8-3.13] for 2003. Data are tabulated as percentage distributions of treatment admissions according to primary substance of abuse.

The Minimum Data Set consists of 19 items that include:

• Demographic information
   

• Primary, secondary, and tertiary substances and their route of administration, frequency of use, and age at first use
   

• Source of referral to treatment
   

• Number of prior treatment episodes
   

• Service type, including planned use of methadone

The Supplemental Data Set consists of 15 items that include psychiatric, social, and economic measures.

Definitions and classifications used in the Minimum and Supplemental Data Sets are detailed in Appendix B.

Not all States report all data items in the Minimum and Supplemental Data Sets. Most States report the Minimum Data Set for all or nearly all TEDS admissions. However, the items reported from the Supplemental Data Set vary greatly across States. Tables 4.3 and 4.4 indicate, by State, the item response rates for the Minimum and Supplemental Data Sets.

The figures in this chapter represent counts of admissions for each primary substance of abuse by sex, age, and race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic of Mexican origin, and Hispanic of Puerto Rican origin; admissions of Mexican and Puerto Rican origin made up 74 percent of Hispanic admissions [Table 3.1a]).

All Admissions

• Non-Hispanic White males made up 39 percent of all treatment admissions in 2003, followed by non-Hispanic White females (19 percent), non-Hispanic Black males (16 percent), and non-Hispanic Black females (7 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• The average age at admission was 34 years. About 8 percent were under age 18, and 2 percent were under age 15 [Table 3.2a].
   

• Forty-three percent of treatment admissions had not been in treatment before the current episode, but 10 percent had been in treatment five or more times previously [Table 3.5].
   

• Most admissions (61 percent) were to ambulatory treatment, one in five (22 percent) were to detoxification, and 17 percent were to residential treatment [Table 3.6].
   

• The criminal justice system and self- or individual referral were responsible for 36 percent and 34 percent, respectively, of referrals to treatment [Table 3.5].
   

• Less than one-third (29 percent) of admissions aged 16 and over were employed [Table 3.7].
   

• Thirty-five percent of admissions aged 18 and over had not completed high school or a GED [Table 3.7].

Alcohol Only

• Admissions for abuse of alcohol alone, with no secondary drug abuse, represented 23 percent of TEDS admissions in 2003 [Table 3.1b].
   

• Non-Hispanic White males made up 52 percent of all alcohol-only admissions, followed by non-Hispanic White females (19 percent) and non-Hispanic Black males (10 percent) [Table 3.3a]. The average age at admission was 39 years [Table 3.2a].
   

• Abuse of alcohol alone was the problem most likely to be reported by admissions aged 30 and older [Table 3.2b].
   

• Eighty-eight percent of alcohol-only admissions reported that they first became intoxicated before age 21, the legal drinking age. Almost one-third (30 percent) first became intoxicated by age 14 [Table 3.4].
   

• Half (50 percent) of all alcohol-only admissions reported no prior treatment episodes, while an additional 22 percent reported one prior admission to treatment [Table 3.5].
   

• The criminal justice system referred 40 percent of alcohol-only admissions to treatment; 31 percent were referred by themselves or another individual [Table 3.5].

Alcohol With Secondary Drug Abuse

• Admissions for primary abuse of alcohol with secondary abuse of drugs represented 19 percent of TEDS admissions in 2003 [Table 3.1b].
   

• Non-Hispanic White males accounted for 43 percent of admissions for primary alcohol with secondary drug abuse, followed by non-Hispanic Black males (19 percent) and non-Hispanic White females (16 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• The average age at admission for primary alcohol with secondary drug abuse was lower, at 35 years, than for abuse of alcohol alone (39 years) [Table 3.2a].
   

• Almost all admissions (93 percent) for primary alcohol with secondary drug abuse reported first being intoxicated before age 21 (the legal drinking age). Approximately half (48 percent) first became intoxicated by age 14 [Table 3.4].
   

• Admissions for primary alcohol with secondary drug abuse were less likely to be in treatment for the first time than alcohol-only admissions (37 percent vs. 50 percent) [Table 3.5].
   

• Marijuana was the most frequently reported secondary substance by all primary alcohol admissions (25 percent), followed by smoked cocaine (13 percent) and non-smoked cocaine (8 percent) [Table 5.8].

Heroin

• Heroin was the second leading illicit drug responsible for treatment admissions in 2003, accounting for 15 percent of TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b].
   

• About one-third (30 percent) of primary heroin admissions were non-Hispanic White males, followed by non-Hispanic White females (17 percent), non-Hispanic Black males (16 percent), and males of Puerto Rican origin (11 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• Almost half (47 percent) of all admissions of persons of Puerto Rican origin were for primary heroin abuse [Table 3.1b].
   

• Injection was the most common route of administration for primary heroin admissions (61 percent). However, 34 percent reported inhalation as their usual route of administration [Table 3.4]. Daily use of heroin was reported by 79 percent of primary heroin admissions [Table 3.4].
   

• Most primary heroin admissions (78 percent) had been in treatment prior to the current episode, and 23 percent had been in treatment five or more times [Table 3.5].
   

• Opioid treatment (treatment with the medications methadone, LAAM, or buprenorphine) was planned for 32 percent of primary heroin admissions [Table 3.6].
   

• Primary heroin admissions were most likely to report secondary abuse of alcohol (24 percent) and non-smoked cocaine (21 percent) [Table 5.8].

Other Opiates

• Opiates other than heroin accounted for 3 percent of TEDS admissions in 2003 [Table 3.1b]. These drugs include methadone (non-prescription use), codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, morphine, opium, oxycodone, pentazocine, propoxyphene, tramadol, and any other drug with morphine-like effects.
   

• Non-Hispanic White males accounted for 47 percent of admissions for primary opiates other than heroin, and non-Hispanic White females for 41 percent [Table 3.3a].
   

• The most frequent route of administration for primary opiates other than heroin was oral (74 percent), followed by injection (12 percent) and inhalation (11 percent) [Table 3.4].
   

• Twenty-seven percent of admissions for primary opiates other than heroin first used these drugs after age 30 [Table 3.4].
   

• Fifty percent of admissions for primary opiates other than heroin were self- or individual referrals [Table 3.5].
   

• Opioid treatment (treatment with the medications methadone, LAAM, or buprenorphine) was planned for 17 percent of admissions for primary opiates other than heroin [Table 3.6].
   

• Forty-one percent of admissions for primary opiates other than heroin reported no abuse of other substances. The most commonly reported secondary substances of abuse were alcohol (23 percent), marijuana (18 percent), and tranquilizers (10 percent) [Table 5.8].

Smoked Cocaine (Crack)

• Smoked cocaine (crack) was the third most common illicit drug responsible for treatment admissions in 2003, accounting for 10 percent of TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b].
   

• Non-Hispanic Black males accounted for 33 percent of primary smoked cocaine admissions, followed by non-Hispanic Black females (22 percent), non-Hispanic White males (20 percent), and non-Hispanic White females (15 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• The average age at admission for primary smoked cocaine abuse was 37 years, and 65 percent were aged 35 or more [Table 3.2a].
   

• Daily use was reported by 42 percent of primary smoked cocaine admissions [Table 3.4].
   

• Fifty-eight percent of primary smoked cocaine admissions did not use the drug until age 21 or older [Table 3.4].
   

• The main sources of referral for primary smoked cocaine admissions were self- or individual referrals (40 percent) and the criminal justice system (26 percent) [Table 3.5].
   

• Sixty-nine percent of primary smoked cocaine admissions reported abuse of other substances. The most commonly reported secondary substances of abuse were alcohol (52 percent) and marijuana (30 percent) [Table 5.8].

Non-Smoked Cocaine

• Non-smoked cocaine accounted for 4 percent of TEDS admissions in 2003 [Table 3.1b].
   

• Non-Hispanic White males accounted for 31 percent of primary non-smoked cocaine admissions, followed by non-Hispanic Black males (21 percent), non-Hispanic White females (18 percent), and non-Hispanic Black females (10 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• Three-quarters (76 percent) of admissions for primary non-smoked cocaine reported inhalation as the route of administration, followed by injection (13 percent) [Table 3.4].
   

• Forty-three percent of primary non-smoked cocaine admissions reported first using the drug by age 18 [Table 3.4].
   

• The principal sources of referral for primary non-smoked cocaine admissions were the criminal justice system (35 percent) followed by self- or individual referral (32 percent ) [Table 3.5].
   

• Seventy-two percent of admissions for primary non-smoked cocaine reported abuse of additional substances. Alcohol was most common, reported by 49 percent of primary non-smoked cocaine admissions, followed by marijuana (33 percent) [Table 5.8].

Marijuana/Hashish

• Marijuana was the most common illicit drug responsible for treatment admissions in 2003, accounting for 15 percent of TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b].
   

• Non-Hispanic White males accounted for 40 percent of primary marijuana admissions, followed by non-Hispanic Black males (22 percent) and non-Hispanic White females (15 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• Primary marijuana abuse accounted for more than half of all admissions in the age groups under 15 years of age (57 percent) and 15 to 19 years (56 percent) [Table 3.2b].
   

• First use of marijuana began at an early age among primary marijuana admissions—25 percent had first used marijuana by age 12, 56 percent by age 14, and 92 percent by age 18 [Table 3.4].

• Fifty-eight percent of primary marijuana admissions reported no prior treatment episodes [Table 3.5].
   

• More than half (57 percent) of primary marijuana admissions were referred to treatment through the criminal justice system [Table 3.5].
   

• Almost two-thirds of admissions for primary marijuana abuse (63 percent) reported abuse of additional substances as well. Alcohol was most common, reported by 50 percent of primary marijuana admissions [Table 5.8].

Methamphetamine/Amphetamine and Other Stimulants

• Methamphetamine/amphetamines and other stimulants were reported as the primary substance for 7 percent of 2003 TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b]. Ninety-nine percent of all stimulant admissions were for methamphetamine or amphetamine abuse [Table 3.1a].
   

• Thirty-nine percent of primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions were non-Hispanic White males, followed by non-Hispanic White females (33 percent), males of Mexican origin (7 percent), and females of Mexican origin (5 percent) [Table 3.3a]. Eighteen percent of all admissions of persons of Mexican origin were for primary  methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse [Table 3.1b].
   

• The main routes of administration for primary methamphetamine/amphetamines were smoking (56 percent), injection (22 percent), and inhalation (15 percent) [Table 3.4].
   

• More than half (51 percent) of primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions were referred to treatment by the criminal justice system [Table 3.5].
   

• Sixty-seven percent of primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions reported secondary use of other substances, principally marijuana (42 percent) and alcohol (38 percent) [Table 5.8].

Tranquilizers

• Tranquilizers were reported as the primary substance by 0.4 percent of 2003 TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b].
   

• Non-Hispanic White females accounted for almost half (47 percent) of admissions for primary abuse of tranquilizers, followed by non-Hispanic White males (38 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• The average age at admission for primary tranquilizer abuse was 36 years, and 54 percent were aged 35 or more [Table 3.2a].
   

• Among primary tranquilizer admissions, 61 percent reported daily use of tranquilizers [Table 3.4].
   

• Thirty percent of primary tranquilizer admissions first used tranquilizers after age 30 [Table 3.4].
   

• More than one-quarter (28 percent) of primary tranquilizer admissions who were 18 and over had more than 12 years of education [Table 3.7].
   

• Secondary abuse of another substance was reported by 66 percent of primary tranquilizer admissions. Secondary abuse of alcohol was reported by 30 percent, marijuana by 20 percent, and opiates other than heroin by 17 percent [Table 5.8].

Sedatives

• Admissions for primary sedative abuse were responsible for 0.2 percent of TEDS admissions in 2003 [Table 3.1b].
   

• Primary sedative admissions showed patterns similar to those for abuse of tranquilizers. Non-Hispanic White females accounted for 43 percent of admissions for abuse of sedatives, followed by non-Hispanic White males (38 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• Almost half (49 percent) of primary sedative admissions reported daily use of sedatives [Table 3.4].
   

• Twenty-five percent of primary sedative admissions first used sedatives after age 30 [Table 3.4].
   

• Nearly one-third (31 percent) of primary sedative admissions who were 18 and over had more than 12 years of education [Table 3.7].
   

• Sixty-two percent of primary sedative admissions reported abuse of other substances as well, primarily alcohol (28 percent) and marijuana (20 percent), followed by opiates other than heroin (11 percent) [Table 5.8].

Hallucinogens

• Hallucinogens were responsible for 0.1 percent of TEDS admissions in 2003 [Table 3.1b]. Hallucinogens include LSD, DMT, STP, mescaline, psilocybin, peyote, etc.
   

• More than half of admissions for primary hallucinogen abuse were non-Hispanic White males (52 percent), followed by non-Hispanic White females (18 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• Thirty-three percent of primary hallucinogen admissions were less than 20 years of age, and another 30 percent were aged 20 to 24 years [Table 3.2a].
   

• Fifty-one percent of primary hallucinogen admissions reported not using the drug in the past month [Table 3.4].
   

• Fifty-six percent of primary hallucinogen admissions reported first using hallucinogens by the age of 16 [Table 3.4].
   

• The criminal justice system was the source of referral for 45 percent of primary hallucinogen admissions [Table 3.5].
   

• Seventy-nine percent of primary hallucinogen admissions reported abuse of drugs in addition to hallucinogens, mainly marijuana (45 percent) and alcohol (34 percent), followed by non-smoked cocaine (14 percent) and methamphetamine/amphetamines (10 percent) [Table 5.8].

Phencyclidine (PCP)

• Phencyclidine (PCP) was reported as a primary substance by 0.2 percent of TEDS admissions in 2003 [Table 3.1b].
   

• Thirty-eight percent of primary PCP admissions were non-Hispanic Black males, followed by non-Hispanic Black females (16 percent) and non-Hispanic White males (13 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• The usual route of administration for primary PCP admissions was smoking, reported by 88 percent of admissions; 7 percent reported oral use, and 4 percent reported inhalation [Table 3.4].
   

• The criminal justice system referred 52 percent of primary PCP admissions [Table 3.5].
   

• Seventy-one percent of primary PCP admissions reported abuse of other substances. Both marijuana and alcohol was reported by 39 percent [Table 5.8].

Inhalants

• Inhalants were reported as the primary substance of abuse by 0.1 percent of 2003 TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b]. Inhalants include ether, glue, chloroform, nitrous oxide, gasoline, paint thinner, etc.
   

• Over half (54 percent) of primary inhalant admissions were non-Hispanic White males, followed by non-Hispanic White females (15 percent) and males of Mexican origin (9 percent) [Table 3.3a].
   

• One in five primary inhalant admissions (19 percent) was under age 15, and another 24 percent were aged 15 to 17 years [Table 3.2a].
   

• Twenty-eight percent of primary inhalant admissions reported daily inhalant use [Table 3.4].
   

• More than one-quarter (27 percent) of primary inhalant admissions had used inhalants by the age of 12, and 55 percent by the age of 14 [Table 3.4].
   

• The principal sources of referral for primary inhalant admissions were the criminal justice system (31 percent) and self- or individual referral (30 percent) [Table 3.5].
   

• Sixty percent of primary inhalant admissions reported abuse of other drugs as well, principally alcohol and marijuana (37 percent and 34 percent, respectively) [Table 5.8].

This page was last updated on May 16, 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.