96 Adult Addiction Statistics, Facts & Prevalences

Top 10 Most Interesting Adult Addiction Statistics

• Over 21 million Americans struggle with at least one addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Alcoholism is the most common addiction in America, with 14.1 million adults aged 18 and older suffering from alcohol use disorder. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem, with 18 million Americans misusing prescription medications at least once in the past year. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Over 2 million Americans suffer from opioid use disorder, and on average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in America, with 43.5 million adults using it in the past year. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Gambling disorder affects approximately 2 million American adults, and an additional 4-6 million are considered to have a mild to moderate gambling problem. (National Council on Problem Gambling)
• Around 8.5 million American adults have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• The prevalence of nicotine dependence among adults in the United States is approximately 15%. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Approximately 1 in 8 adults in the United States is in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. (Recovery Research Institute)
• Men are more likely to develop a substance use disorder than women, with 10.8% of adult men having a substance use disorder compared to 5.8% of adult women. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)

What Are the Most Common Addiction Among Adults?

• Alcohol use disorder affects 14.1 million adults aged 18 and older, or 5.4% of this age group.
• Tobacco addiction, including nicotine dependence, affects approximately 34 million adults in the United States, or about 15% of the adult population.
• Illicit drug use disorder affects around 7.5 million adults aged 18 and older, or 2.9% of this age group.
• Marijuana use disorder is estimated to affect around 4 million adults aged 18 and older, or about 1.5% of this age group.
• Prescription drug abuse affects approximately 18 million Americans at least once a year.

Most Common Causes of Addiction

• Genetics: It is estimated that genetic factors account for 40-60% of an individual's risk of developing an addiction. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• Trauma: Childhood trauma, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, can increase the risk of addiction later in life. In fact, individuals who experienced trauma are up to four times more likely to develop a substance use disorder. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• Mental health disorders: Approximately half of individuals with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• Peer pressure: Social influences can play a significant role in the development of addiction, particularly during adolescence when peer pressure is at its peak. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• Environment: Individuals who grow up in an environment where substance use is normalized or encouraged may be more likely to develop an addiction themselves. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Prevalence of Adult Addiction

• 5.4% of adults aged 18 and older suffer from alcohol use disorder (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Approximately 15% of the adult population is affected by tobacco addiction, including nicotine dependence. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• 2.9% of adults aged 18 and older are affected by illicit drug use disorder. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• About 1.5% of adults aged 18 and older are estimated to be affected by marijuana use disorder. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Prescription drug abuse affects approximately 18 million Americans at least once a year.

Statistics On Alcohol Addiction And Abuse

• Alcoholism is the most common addiction in America, with 14.1 million adults aged 18 and older suffering from alcohol use disorder. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Alcohol misuse cost the United States $249 billion in 2010. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
• Heavy alcohol use can lead to high blood pressure, liver disease, and an increased risk of cancer. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
• Binge drinking (consuming 4-5 drinks in 2 hours or less) is most common among 18-34 year olds. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
• Approximately 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes each year in the United States. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
• In 2018, 14.5 million adults aged 18 and older had alcohol use disorder. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Men are twice as likely to develop alcohol use disorder as women. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
• Approximately 26.45% of adults aged 18 and older reported binge drinking in the past month. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• In 2018, 6.2% of adults aged 18 and older engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past month. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• In 2018, 401,000 adolescents aged 12-17 had alcohol use disorder. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)

Statistics On Opioid Addiction And Abuse

• Over 2 million Americans suffer from opioid use disorder. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• In 2018, there were 10.3 million people aged 12 or older who misused opioids in the past year. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• An estimated 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• Between 4 and 6 percent of people who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• The number of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone increased from about 3,000 in 2013 to more than 30,000 in 2018. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Nicotine Addiction Statistics

• The prevalence of nicotine dependence among adults in the United States is approximately 15%. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Smoking is responsible for approximately 480,000 deaths in the United States each year. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Secondhand smoke kills approximately 41,000 non-smoking adults in the United States each year. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• E-cigarette use has increased dramatically in recent years, with 9 million American adults using e-cigarettes in 2018. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• In 2018, 20.8% of high school students in the United States reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. (National Youth Tobacco Survey)
• In 2018, 5.8% of adults aged 18 and older used smokeless tobacco. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Approximately 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States are caused by cigarette smoking. (American Cancer Society)
• Smoking during pregnancy can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Approximately 70% of smokers want to quit, but only 3-6% are able to quit on their own. (American Lung Association)
• The smoking rate among adults in the United States has decreased from 25% in 1990 to 14% in 2019. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Statistics On Heroin Addiction And Abuse

• Approximately 886,000 people aged 12 or older reported using heroin in the past year. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• In 2018, there were 14,996 overdose deaths involving heroin in the United States. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• Between 2002 and 2013, the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths nearly quadrupled in the United States. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Statistics On Cocaine Addiction And Abuse

• Approximately 5.5 million Americans aged 12 or older have used cocaine in the past year. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• In 2018, there were approximately 968,000 people aged 12 or older with a cocaine use disorder. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• Men are more likely to use cocaine than women, with 2.4% of men reporting past-year use compared to 1.2% of women. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Approximately one third of people who enter treatment for cocaine addiction also have a co-occurring mental health disorder. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• In 2017, there were approximately 14,000 deaths involving cocaine in the United States. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Statistics On Methamphetamine Addiction And Abuse

• Approximately 1.9 million people in the United States have used methamphetamine in the past year. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• In 2018, there were approximately 964,000 people aged 12 or older with a methamphetamine use disorder. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• Men are more likely to use methamphetamine than women, with 0.9% of men reporting past-year use compared to 0.5% of women. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• In 2017, there were approximately 10,333 deaths involving psychostimulants like methamphetamine in the United States. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Methamphetamine overdose deaths have increased dramatically in recent years, rising from approximately 1,400 deaths in 2010 to over 10,000 deaths in 2017. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Statistics On Marijuana Addiction And Abuse

• 9% of people who use marijuana will become addicted to it. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• In 2018, 4.4 million people aged 12 or older had a marijuana use disorder in the past year. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• In 2018, approximately 6 million adolescents aged 12-17 reported using marijuana in the past year. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• The potency of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, has increased significantly in recent years, from an average of around 4% in the 1980s to over 15% today. Some strains can have THC levels as high as 30%. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Statistics On Hallucinogen Addiction And Abuse

• Approximately 1.5 million Americans aged 12 or older have used hallucinogens in the past year. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• In 2018, there were approximately 215,000 people aged 12 or older with a hallucinogen use disorder. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• LSD is one of the most commonly used hallucinogens, with approximately 1% of adults in the United States reporting using it in their lifetime. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• Psilocybin mushrooms are another commonly used hallucinogen, with an estimated 17 million people in the United States reporting using them at least once in their lifetime. (Johns Hopkins Medicine)

Statistics On Inhalant Addiction And Abuse

• Approximately 1.8 million people aged 12 or older reported using inhalants in the past year. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Inhalants are more commonly used by younger people, with nearly one third of past-year users being aged 12 to 17. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)

How Many Adults Are Addicted to Video Game?

• Approximately 8.5% of gamers aged 18-24 and 7.9% of gamers aged 25-34 show signs of video game addiction. (International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction)
• In a survey of over 4,000 adults, 10% reported that they had played video games to the point where it negatively impacted their work or school performance. (National Institute on Media and the Family)
• In a survey of over 2,400 adults, 23% reported that they had skipped meals to keep playing video games. (University of California, Irvine)

How Many Adults Are Addicted to Gambling?

• Approximately 2 million adults in the United States are estimated to meet criteria for pathological gambling. (National Council on Problem Gambling)
• In a survey of over 4,000 adults, 1.5% met the criteria for problem gambling and another 3% were at risk for developing a gambling problem. (National Council on Problem Gambling)
• Men are more likely than women to develop a gambling problem, with men making up approximately 80% of problem gamblers. (National Council on Problem Gambling)
• The highest prevalence of problem gambling is found among young adults aged 18-24. (National Council on Problem Gambling)
• Approximately 20% of individuals who seek treatment for gambling addiction report having attempted suicide at some point in their lives. (National Council on Problem Gambling)

How Many Adults Are Addicted to Social Media?

• Approximately 45% of adults in the United States report checking their social media multiple times per day. (Pew Research Center)
• In a survey of over 1,700 adults, 34% reported feeling anxious or upset when they were unable to access their social media accounts. (American Psychological Association)
• Approximately 10% of adults in the United States report that they are addicted to social media. (Psychology Today)
• In a survey of over 2,000 adults, nearly one third reported that they spend more time on social media than they do with friends and family in person. (American Psychological Association)
• Women are more likely than men to be addicted to social media, with 13% of women reporting addiction compared to 7% of men. (Psychology Today)

How Many Adults Are Addicted to Porn?

• Approximately 10% of internet users in the United States consider themselves addicted to pornography. (Psychology Today)
• In a survey of over 2,000 adults, 12% reported that they had unsuccessfully tried to stop using pornography. (American Society of Addiction Medicine)
• Men are more likely than women to report having a problem with pornography addiction, with porn consumption rates 50-90% of men and 30%-86% of women. (APA)
• In a survey of over 1,500 college students, approximately one third reported feeling that their use of pornography interfered with their academic or social lives. (National Center on Sexual Exploitation)

How Many People Recovered from Addiction?

• Approximately 10% of people who need treatment for addiction receive it. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• Some studies have found success rates between 40% and 60%. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• In a survey of over 1,000 adults who had completed addiction treatment, approximately 50% reported remaining abstinent from drugs or alcohol after one year. (Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment)
• After five years, the abstinence rate drops to approximately 15%. (Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment)
• In a study of over 6,000 individuals who attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, approximately one third remained abstinent from alcohol after one year. (Alcohol Research & Health)

FAQs

What is "Adult Addiction"?

Adult addiction refers to the pattern of compulsive substance use or behavior that continues despite negative consequences and impacts an individual's physical, mental, and social well-being.

What are the common signs of adult addiction?

The common signs of adult addiction include a strong urge to use a substance or engage in certain behaviors, inability to control usage or behavior, withdrawal symptoms when not using or engaging in such activities, increased tolerance, continued usage or engagement despite negative consequences, neglecting responsibilities and relationships due to usage or engagement in such activities.

Can adult addiction be treated?

Yes. With proper treatment and support, adult addiction can be treated. It involves a combination of medication-assisted therapy (MAT), behavioral therapies, counseling sessions, support groups, and aftercare programs.

Is it possible to recover from adult addiction?

Yes. Recovery from adult addiction is possible with the right approach and support. Complete abstinence may not always be necessary for recovery; however, learning how to manage addictive behaviors and triggers is crucial for maintaining long-term sobriety.

Conclusion

Addiction is a complex issue that affects millions of people in America, regardless of their age or background. It can take many forms, from drugs and alcohol to gambling and social media.

The statistics presented in this document highlight the widespread nature of addiction in our society and emphasize the need for effective prevention, treatment, and support programs. Although recovery from addiction is possible with the right approach, it requires ongoing commitment, effort, and patience.

By raising awareness about the scope of addiction and its impact on individuals, families, and communities, we can work together to reduce its prevalence and improve outcomes for those affected by it.

Sources

• https://drugabusestatistics.org/alcohol-abuse-statistics/
• https://www.tikvahlake.com/blog/marijuana-addiction-usage-abuse/
• https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-statistics/
• https://americanaddictioncenters.org/addiction-statistics
• https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/us-adults-have-drug-use-disorder
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5023737/
• https://onlinedegrees.unr.edu/blog/gambling-addiction-resources/
• https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/04/pornography