Drug use in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts

The use and abuse of illegal drugs remains a problem in many parts of the world, with an estimated 5.8 percent of the global population using illegal drugs. The problem of illegal drug use and abuse varies from country to country as different countries practice different drug laws, enforce different penalties for breaking these laws, experience varying drug availability, and possess unique cultural perspectives on such substances. The United States in particular has had an interesting and extensive drug history, even going so far as to fight a “War on Drugs”.

What are the most used illicit drugs in the United States?

The most commonly used illicit drugs in the United States are marijuana, cocaine, and LSD. As of 2021, around 128 million people in the United States had used marijuana at some point in their lifetime, while 41 million had used cocaine and 29.5 million LSD. The number of people who stated they had used cocaine in their lifetime has fluctuated over the past decade, but has not seen any significant changes. On the other hand, the number of people who have used heroin in their lifetime has increased in the past few years from 5.1 million in 2018 to 6.6 million in 2021. As of 2021, it was estimated that around one million people in the United States were dependent on or abused heroin.

Drug use among teens

The most commonly used illicit drugs among U.S. students in grades 8, 10, and 12 are marijuana, inhalants, and LSD and other hallucinogens. As of 2022, around 24 percent of these students reported they had used marijuana in their lifetime, while only 1.3 percent had used cocaine. However, the lifetime prevalence of any illicit drug use for teens has decreased significantly over the past two decades. In 2022, just 28 percent of those in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported using an illicit drug in their lifetime, compared to 41 percent in the year 2001. The availability of certain drugs for teens has also decreased in recent years with only 18 percent of 12th graders saying it was “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get cocaine in 2022, compared with 46 percent in 2001.

How many people die from drugs in the United States?

The death rate from drug overdose in the United States has increased significantly over the past decade. This increase in drug overdose deaths is mostly due to opioids such as prescription opioids, heroin, and illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids like fentanyl. This increase in overdose deaths due to opioids is referrred to as the opioid epidemic. In 2021, an estimated 106,699 people in the United States died from a drug overdose, with men accounting for around 69 percent of these deaths. The states with the highest death rates from drug overdose are West Virginia, Tennessee, and Louisiana.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Percentage of U.S. adults who reported drug abuse had ever caused trouble in their family: 32%

Number of people in the U.S. that used cocaine in their lifetime: 40.9m

Rate of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. (per 100,000 population): 32.4

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Drug overdose death rate in the United States in 2021, by state (per 100,000 population)

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Drug overdose death rate U.S. 2021, by state

Number of people in the U.S. who used selected illicit drugs in their lifetime as of 2022, by drug type (in thousands)

State of Health

Number of U.S. Americans who used illicit drugs in their lifetime 2022, by drug type

Substance use among adults in the United States as of 2022, by any mental illness

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Substance use among adults in the U.S. by any mental illness 2022

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Prevalence of drug use in the U.S.

Premium Statistic Number of U.S. Americans who used illicit drugs in their lifetime 2022, by drug type
Number of U.S. Americans who used illicit drugs in their lifetime 2022, by drug type
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Basic Statistic Number of Americans who used illicit drugs in past year 2022, by drug type
Number of Americans who used illicit drugs in past year 2022, by drug type
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Teen drug use

Basic Statistic Lifetime prevalence of drug use within grades 8, 10, and 12 in the U.S. 2022, by drug
Lifetime prevalence of drug use within grades 8, 10, and 12 in the U.S. 2022, by drug
Percentage of U.S. students in grades 8, 10, and 12 who had used select illicit drugs in their lifetime as of 2022
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U.S. past-year prevalence of drug use within grades 8, 10, and 12 as of 2022, by drug
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Premium Statistic Annual prevalence of drug use within grades 8, 10, and 12 in the U.S. 1991-2022
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Basic Statistic 30-day prevalence of drug use within grades 8, 10, and 12 in the U.S. 1991-2022
30-day prevalence of drug use within grades 8, 10, and 12 in the U.S. 1991-2022
30-day prevalence of use of any illicit drug for grades 8, 10, and 12 combined from 1991 to 2022
Basic Statistic Lifetime prevalence of drug use within grades 8, 10, and 12 in the U.S. 1991-2022
Lifetime prevalence of drug use within grades 8, 10, and 12 in the U.S. 1991-2022
Lifetime prevalence of use of any illicit drug for grades 8, 10, and 12 combined from 1991 to 2022
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Basic Statistic Lifetime prevalence of cocaine use within grades 8, 10, and 12 in the U.S. 1991-2022
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Lifetime prevalence of use of cocaine for grades 8, 10, and 12 combined from 1991 to 2022
Basic Statistic Availability of LSD as perceived by U.S. 12th graders 1975-2022
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Drug-related deaths

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Treatment

Basic Statistic Substances used by U.S. adults assessed for substance use treatment, 2019, by gender
Substances used by U.S. adults assessed for substance use treatment, 2019, by gender
Percentage of U.S. adults assessed for substance use treatment who reported using select substances in the past 30 days as of 2019, by gender
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Additional information

Basic Statistic U.S. adults who had trouble in their family due to drug abuse from 1995 to 2021
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Percentage of U.S. adults who reported drug abuse had ever caused trouble in their family from 1995 to 2021
Basic Statistic Life problems among U.S. adults assessed for substance use treatment, 2019, by gender
Life problems among U.S. adults assessed for substance use treatment, 2019, by gender
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Basic Statistic Total federal drug control spending in the U.S. 2012-2024
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