March 19, 2009

Concurrent Illicit Drug and Alcohol Use: The NSDUH Report

This report examines the prevalence and types of concurrent illicit drug and alcohol use.

Summary:

• Illicit drug use concurrent with alcohol use (i.e., during or within 2 hours of last alcohol use) was reported by 5.6 percent of past month alcohol users in 2006 and 2007; this is equivalent to an estimated 7.1 million persons

• The illicit drug most frequently used with alcohol was marijuana (reported by 4.8 percent of past month alcohol users)

• Among past month alcohol users, adolescents aged 12 to 17 and young adults aged 18 to 25 had higher rates of illicit drug use concurrent with last alcohol use than persons in older age groups

• Among past month alcohol users, those who binged on alcohol during their last occasion of use were more likely than their counterparts who did not binge to have used illicit drugs concurrent with their last alcohol use (13.9 vs. 3.8 percent)