Alcohol Use Strongly Associated with Illicit Drug Use

DRUG USE TRENDS October 1996

According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland, the level of alcohol use by U.S. householders is strongly linked with the use of illegal drugs. Data from the recent National Household Survey on Drug Abuse by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) provides estimates of illicit drug and alcohol use. 25% of heavy drinkers and 18% of binge drinkers reported using an illicit drug at least once in the month before the survey. Current drinkers and nondrinkers showed lower rates of 6% and 2% respectively (Center for Substance Abuse Research, "Level of Alcohol Use Strongly Associated with Use of Illicit Drugs," CESAR FAX, September 16, 1996, Vol. 5, Issue 36).