Alcohol Addiction Statistics
- Approximately 14% of adults in the United States have an alcohol addiction.
- Among adults with an alcohol use disorder, only about 7.9% receive treatment.
- Alcohol is a factor in about 40% of violent crimes in the United States.
- Approximately 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually, accounting for 2.6% of all deaths in the United States.
- Alcohol abuse costs the United States approximately $249 billion annually.
- Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for about 29% of all traffic-related deaths in the U.S.
- Approximately 80% of individuals who meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder have not sought treatment.

Drug Addiction Statistics
- An estimated 8.5% of adults in the U.S. have a drug use disorder.
- Opioid addiction affects around 2.1 million adults, accounting for 0.8% of the U.S. adult population.
- Approximately 7.7% of adults in the United States have a marijuana use disorder.
- Among adults with a drug use disorder, only about 10.8% receive treatment.
- Opioid overdoses resulted in over 47,000 deaths in the United States in 2020, representing 67.8% of all drug overdose deaths.
- Cocaine use affects approximately 2.1% of adults in the U.S.
- Methamphetamine use affects around 0.6% of adults in the United States.
- Over 15% of adults in the United States have used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.
- Non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is more prevalent among adults aged 18 to 25, with a rate of 8.6%.
- Approximately 80% of individuals with a substance use disorder started using substances before the age of 18.


Co-Occurring Disorders Statistics
- About 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders are also affected by substance abuse.
- Individuals with a substance use disorder are approximately twice as likely to have a mood or anxiety disorder.
- Among adults with a major depressive episode, 13.2% also have a substance use disorder.
- Approximately 50% of adults with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
- People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to develop a substance use disorder.
- Approximately 37% of adults with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring nicotine dependence.
- LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience substance abuse than their heterosexual counterparts.
Tobacco Addiction Statistics
- Approximately 14.4% of adults in the U.S. smoke cigarettes.
- Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable diseases, accounting for 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S. (about 18.1% of all deaths).
- Adults with mental illnesses are more likely to smoke cigarettes, with a smoking rate of 36%.
- Among adults with a substance use disorder, approximately 37% also have a co-occurring nicotine dependence.

Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics
- Over 15% of adults in the United States have used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.
- Non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is more prevalent among adults aged 18 to 25, with a rate of 8.6%.
- Among adults who misuse opioids, 59% obtain them from a friend or family member.
- Over 30% of adults who misuse prescription opioids also use benzodiazepines.
- Approximately 80% of heroin users reported misusing prescription opioids before using heroin.
- Approximately 9.8 million adults in the U.S. report non-medical use of prescription drugs.
- About 1 in 8 adults who consume alcohol become alcohol-dependent at some point in their lives.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Plastic Surgery Addiction Statistics
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) affects approximately 1-2% of the general population.
- Studies suggest that between 6-15% of patients seeking cosmetic procedures may have BDD.
- Among individuals with BDD, approximately 7-15% seek out cosmetic surgery.
- Plastic surgery addiction or compulsive plastic surgery behaviors are estimated to affect a small subset of individuals with BDD.
Specific Drug Use Statistics
- Cocaine use affects approximately 2.1% of adults in the U.S.
- Methamphetamine use affects around 0.6% of adults in the United States.
- Approximately 7.7% of adults in the United States have a marijuana use disorder.
- Opioid addiction affects around 2.1 million adults, accounting for 0.8% of the U.S. adult population.
- Non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is more prevalent among adults aged 18 to 25, with a rate of 8.6%.
- Prescription opioid abuse affects around 4.7% of adults in the U.S.
- About 1 in 8 adults who consume alcohol become alcohol-dependent at some point in their lives.
- Adults aged 26 or older have a higher rate of marijuana use disorder compared to younger adults (6.8% vs. 3.9%).
Gambling Addiction Statistics
- Approximately 2-3% of the general population struggles with a gambling problem or gambling addiction.
- An estimated 1-2% of adults meet the criteria for a gambling disorder.
- Among individuals who engage in gambling activities, approximately 1-4% develop a gambling addiction.
- The prevalence of gambling addiction is higher among certain populations, such as individuals with substance use disorders and those with mental health conditions.
- In the United States, around 2-3% of adults are considered to have a gambling disorder.
- About 3-5% of college students in the U.S. experience gambling-related problems.
- Men are more likely to develop a gambling addiction than women, with estimates suggesting that 2-3% of men and 1-2% of women struggle with gambling disorders.
- The risk of developing a gambling addiction increases among individuals who start gambling at a young age.

Video Game Addiction Statistics
- Approximately 2.6 billion people worldwide play video games.
- The global video game market was valued at $159.3 billion in 2020.
- In the United States, 65% of adults play video games.
- 15% of gamers worldwide exhibit signs of addiction.
- The average age of a video game addict is 35 years old.
- China has the highest number of video game addicts, with an estimated 24 million.
- South Korea has the highest percentage of video game addicts, with 10% of gamers being addicted.
- 97% of teenagers in the United States play video games.
- 8.5% of American youth ages 8 to 18 exhibit signs of pathological gaming.
- Video game addiction affects males more than females, with a ratio of 6:1.
Adult Addiction Demographics
- Adults with lower incomes are more likely to experience substance abuse.
- Men are more likely than women to misuse illicit drugs, with rates of 10.9% and 5.8%, respectively.
- Alcohol addiction is more prevalent in men, with 23.1% affected, compared to 10.6% in women.
- Adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest rate of illicit drug use (23.5%) compared to other age groups.
- Adults with lower educational levels are more likely to experience substance abuse.
Treatment and Support
- Among adults with an alcohol use disorder, only about 7.9% receive treatment.
- Among adults with a drug use disorder, only about 10.8% receive treatment.
- Approximately 80% of individuals who meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder have not sought treatment.
- Over 80% of individuals with a substance use disorder started using substances before the age of 18.
- Approximately 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders are also affected by substance abuse.
- About 50% of individuals with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
- Over 30% of adults who experience chronic pain misuse prescription opioids.
- Adults with an alcohol use disorder have a co-occurring alcohol use disorder in over 40% of cases.
- Among adults aged 18 or older with a major depressive episode, 13.2% also have a substance use disorder.
- Approximately 80% of heroin users reported misusing prescription opioids before using heroin.
Impacts and Costs
- Substance abuse costs the U.S. healthcare system more than $200 billion each year.
- The opioid crisis costs the U.S. economy an estimated $78.5 billion per year.
- Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for about 29% of all traffic-related deaths in the U.S.
- Alcohol is a factor in about 36% of suicides in the United States.
- Alcohol abuse costs the United States approximately $249 billion annually.
Vape Addiction Statistics
- Approximately 21% of adult vapers reported becoming addicted to vaping.
- Among young adults aged 18 to 24, 37% reported being addicted to vaping.
- Studies show that 68% of individuals who vape daily become addicted to nicotine.
- Around 80% of teens who use e-cigarettes report being addicted to vaping.
- Among individuals who vape and also smoke traditional cigarettes, 95% are addicted to nicotine.
- Research suggests that 70% of individuals who try vaping become regular users and develop addiction.
- Among college students who vape, 41% report being addicted to e-cigarettes.
- A survey revealed that 86% of individuals who vape flavored e-cigarettes are addicted to vaping.

Addiction Causes Statistics
- Genetics and Family History:
- Research suggests that genetics contribute to about 40-60% of a person’s vulnerability to addiction.
- Having a family history of addiction increases an individual’s risk, with estimates ranging from 40-60% higher compared to those without a family history.
- Environmental Factors:
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction can increase the risk of developing addiction.
- Traumatic events, stressful life circumstances, and exposure to drug or alcohol use within one’s environment can also contribute to addiction risk.
- Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders:
- Approximately 50% of individuals with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
- The presence of conditions such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can increase the risk of developing addiction.
- Peer Influence:
- Social factors, including peer pressure and influence, can contribute to substance abuse and addictive behaviors.
- Studies suggest that individuals with friends or family members who engage in substance use are more likely to develop addiction.
- Early Substance Use:
- Initiating substance use at an early age, particularly during adolescence, increases the risk of developing addiction.
- Early substance use can disrupt brain development and increase susceptibility to addictive behaviors.
Source
- https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7123a1.htmhttps://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/college-age-young-adults/drug-alcohol-use-in-college-age-adults-2018-infographic
- https://drugabusestatistics.org/
- https://fherehab.com/addiction-statistics/
- https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/CBHSQ-SR168-TypicalDay-2014/CBHSQ-SR168-TypicalDay-2014.htm
- https://www.mainspringrecovery.com/blog/adult-addiction-statistics