Chapter 3
Characteristics of Admissions: 2002
 

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• Demographic information



• Primary, secondary, and tertiary substances and their route of administration, frequency of use, and age at first use



• Source of referral to treatment



• Number of prior treatment episodes



• Service type, including planned use of methadone

All Admissions

• Non-Hispanic White males made up 40 percent of all treatment admissions in 2002, followed by non-Hispanic White females (19 percent), non-Hispanic Black males (17 percent), and non-Hispanic Black females (7 percent) [Table 3.2a]. The average age at admission was 34 years [Table 3.1a]. About 9 percent were under age 18, and 2 percent were under age 15 [Table 3.1a].



• Forty-four percent of treatment admissions had not been in treatment before the current episode, but 11 percent had been in treatment five or more times previously [Table 3.3].



• Most admissions (61 percent) were to ambulatory treatment, one in five (22 percent) were to detoxification, and 17 percent were to residential treatment [Table 3.4].



• The criminal justice system and self- or individual referral were responsible for 36 percent and 35 percent, respectively, of referrals to treatment [Table 3.4].



• Less than one-third (30 percent) of admissions aged 16 and over were employed [Table 3.5].



• Thirty-five percent of admissions aged 18 and over had not completed high school or a GED [Table 3.5].

Figure 13 All admissions Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Alcohol Only

• Admissions for abuse of alcohol alone, with no secondary drug abuse, represented 24 percent of TEDS admissions in 2002 [Table 3.1b].
   

• Non-Hispanic White males made up 53 percent of all alcohol-only admissions, followed by non-Hispanic White females (18 percent) and non-Hispanic Black males (10 percent) [Table 3.2a]. The average age at admission was 39 years [Table 3.1a].
   
• Abuse of alcohol alone was the problem most likely to be reported by admissions aged 35 and older [Table 3.1b].
   
• Eighty-eight percent of alcohol-only admissions reported that they first became intoxicated before age 21, the legal drinking age. One-third (32 percent) first became intoxicated by age 14 [Table 3.3].
   
• Half (50 percent) of all alcohol-only admissions reported no prior treatment episodes, while an additional 21 percent reported one prior admission to treatment [Table 3.3].
   
• The criminal justice system referred 40 percent of alcohol-only admissions to treatment; 31 percent were referred by themselves or another individual [Table 3.4].

Figure 14 Alcohol only Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Alcohol with Secondary Drug Abuse

• Admissions for primary abuse of alcohol with secondary abuse of drugs represented 19 percent of TEDS admissions in 2002 [Table 3.1b].
   
• Non-Hispanic White males accounted for 43 percent of admissions for primary alcohol with secondary drug abuse, followed by non-Hispanic Black males (20 percent) and non-Hispanic White females (16 percent) [Table 3.2a].
   
• The average age at admission for primary alcohol with secondary drug abuse was lower, at 34 years, than for abuse of alcohol alone (39 years) [Table 3.1a].
   
• Almost all admissions (93 percent) for primary alcohol with secondary drug abuse reported first being intoxicated before age 21 (the legal drinking age). Half (49 percent) first became intoxicated by age 14 [Table 3.3].
   
• Admissions for primary alcohol with secondary drug abuse were less likely to be in treatment for the first time than alcohol-only admissions (39 percent vs. 50 percent) [Table 3.3].
   
• Marijuana was the most frequently reported secondary substance by alcohol admissions (25 percent), followed by smoked cocaine at 13 percent and non-smoked cocaine at 8 percent [Table 5.7].

Figure 15 Alcohol with secondary drug abuse Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Heroin

• Heroin was the leading illicit drug responsible for treatment admissions in 2002, accounting for 15 percent of TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b].
   

• About one-third (31 percent) of primary heroin admissions were non-Hispanic White males, followed by non-Hispanic White females (17 percent), non-Hispanic Black males (16 percent), and males of Puerto Rican origin (12 percent) [Table 3.2a]. Almost half (49 percent) of all admissions of persons of Puerto Rican origin were for primary heroin abuse [Table 3.1b].
   
• Injection was the most common route of administration for primary heroin admissions (62 percent). However, 33 percent reported inhalation as their usual route of administration [Table 3.3]. Daily use of heroin was reported by 80 percent of primary heroin admissions [Table 3.3].
   
• Most primary heroin admissions (78 percent) had been in treatment prior to the current episode, and 25 percent had been in treatment five or more times [Table 3.3].
   
• Methadone use was planned for 35 percent of primary heroin admissions [Table 3.4].
   
• Primary heroin admissions were most likely to report secondary abuse of alcohol (25 percent) and non-smoked cocaine (21 percent) [Table 5.7].

Figure 16 Heroin Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Other Opiates

• Opiates other than heroin accounted for 2 percent of TEDS admissions in 2002 [Table 3.1b]. These drugs include non-prescription use of codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, opium, oxycodone, pentazocine, propoxyphene, and other drugs with morphine-like effects.
   

• Non-Hispanic White males accounted for 47 percent of admissions for primary opiates other than heroin, and non-Hispanic White females for 41 percent [Table 3.2a].
   
• The most frequent route of administration for primary opiates other than heroin was oral (75 percent), followed by injection (13 percent) [Table 3.3].
   
• Twenty-nine percent of admissions for primary opiates other than heroin first used these drugs after age 30 [Table 3.3].
   
• More than half of admissions (52 percent) for primary opiates other than heroin were self- or individual referrals [Table 3.4].
   
• Methadone use as part of treatment was planned for 19 percent of admissions for primary opiates other than heroin [Table 3.4].
   
• Forty-two percent of admissions for primary opiates other than heroin reported no abuse of other substances, while 24 percent reported secondary abuse of alcohol. Secondary abuse of marijuana was reported by 17 percent and of tranquilizers by 10 percent [Table 5.7].

Figure 17 Other opiates Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Smoked Cocaine (Crack)

• Smoked cocaine (crack) was the third most common illicit drug responsible for treatment admissions in 2002, accounting for 9 percent of TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b].
   
• Non-Hispanic Black males accounted for 34 percent of primary smoked cocaine admissions, followed by non-Hispanic Black females (23 percent), non-Hispanic White males (19 percent), and non-Hispanic White females (15 percent) [Table 3.2a].
   
• The average age at admission for primary smoked cocaine abuse was 37 years, and 63 percent were aged 35 or more [Table 3.1a].
   
• Daily use was reported by 42 percent of primary smoked cocaine admissions [Table 3.3].
   
• Fifty-eight percent of primary smoked cocaine admissions did not use the drug until age 21 or older [Table 3.3].
   
• The main sources of referral for primary smoked cocaine admissions were self- or individual referrals (41 percent) and the criminal justice system (26 percent) [Table 3.4].
   
• Seventy percent of primary smoked cocaine admissions reported abuse of other substances. The most commonly reported secondary substances of abuse were alcohol (54 percent) and marijuana (30 percent) [Table 5.7].

Figure 18 Smoked cocaine (crack) Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Non-Smoked Cocaine

• Non-smoked cocaine accounted for 4 percent of TEDS admissions in 2002 [Table 3.1b].
   
• Non-Hispanic White males accounted for 30 percent of primary non-smoked cocaine admissions, followed by non-Hispanic Black males (23 percent), non-Hispanic White females (17 percent), and non-Hispanic Black females (10 percent) [Table 3.2a].
   
• Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of admissions for primary non-smoked cocaine reported inhalation as the route of administration, followed by injection (14 percent) [Table 3.3].
   
• Forty-three percent of primary non-smoked cocaine admissions reported first using the drug by age 18 [Table 3.3].
   
• The principal sources of referral for primary non-smoked cocaine admissions were the criminal justice system and self- or individual referral (34 percent each) [Table 3.4].
   
• Seventy-three percent of admissions for primary non-smoked cocaine reported abuse of additional substances. Alcohol was most common, reported by 51 percent of primary non-smoked cocaine admissions, followed by marijuana (33 percent) [Table 5.7].

Figure 19 Non-smoked cocaine Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Marijuana/Hashish

• Marijuana was the second most common illicit drug responsible for treatment admissions in 2002, accounting for 15 percent of TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b].
   
• Non-Hispanic White males accounted for 41 percent of primary marijuana admissions, followed by non-Hispanic Black males (22 percent) and non-Hispanic White females (15 percent) [Table 3.2a].
   
• Primary marijuana abuse accounted for more than half of all admissions (55 percent each) in the age groups under 15 years and 15 to 19 years [Table 3.1b].
   
• First use of marijuana began at an early age among primary marijuana admissions—26 percent had first used marijuana by age 12, 56 percent by age 14, and 92 percent by age 18 [Table 3.3].
   
• Sixty percent of primary marijuana admissions reported no prior treatment episodes [Table 3.3].
   
• More than half (58 percent) of primary marijuana admissions were referred to treatment through the criminal justice system [Table 3.4].
   
• Two-thirds of admissions for primary marijuana abuse (65 percent) reported abuse of additional substances as well. Alcohol was most common, reported by 52 percent of primary marijuana admissions [Table 5.7].

Figure 20 Marijuana/hashish Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Methamphetamine/Amphetamine and Other Stimulants

• Methamphetamine/amphetamines and other stimulants were reported as the primary substance for 7 percent of 2002 TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b]. Ninety-nine percent of all stimulant admissions were for methamphetamine or amphetamine abuse [Table 3.1a].
   
• Forty-one percent of primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions were non-Hispanic White males, followed by non-Hispanic White females (34 percent), males of Mexican origin (7 percent), and females of Mexican origin (5 percent) [Table 3.2a]. Fifteen percent of all admissions of persons of Mexican origin were for primary methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse [Table 3.1b].
   
• The main routes of administration for primary methamphetamine/amphetamines were smoking (51 percent), injection (23 percent), and inhalation (17 percent) [Table 3.3].
   
• More than half (53 percent) of primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions were referred to treatment by the criminal justice system [Table 3.4].
   
• Seventy percent of primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions reported secondary use of other substances, principally marijuana (43 percent) and alcohol (41 percent) [Table 5.7].

Figure 21 Methamphetamine/amphetamine and other stimulants Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Tranquilizers

• Tranquilizers were reported as the primary substance by 0.4 percent of 2002 TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b].
   
• Non-Hispanic White females accounted for almost half (46 percent) of admissions for primary abuse of tranquilizers, followed by non-Hispanic White males (40 percent) [Table 3.2a].
   
• The average age at admission for primary tranquilizer abuse was 36 years, and 55 percent were aged 35 or more [Table 3.1a].
   
• Among primary tranquilizer admissions, 58 percent reported daily use of tranquilizers [Table 3.3].
   
• Twenty-nine percent of primary tranquilizer admissions first used tranquilizers after age 30 [Table 3.3].
   
• More than one-quarter (27 percent) of primary tranquilizer admissions who were 18 and over had more than 12 years of education [Table 3.5].
   
• Secondary abuse of another substance was reported by 63 percent of primary tranquilizer admissions. Secondary abuse of alcohol was reported by 31 percent, marijuana by 18 percent, and opiates other than heroin by 15 percent [Table 5.7].

Figure 22 Tranquilizers Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Sedatives

• Admissions for primary sedative abuse were responsible for 0.2 percent of TEDS admissions in 2002 [Table 3.1b].
   
• Primary sedative admissions showed patterns similar to those for abuse of tranquilizers. Non-Hispanic White females accounted for 43 percent of admissions for abuse of sedatives, followed by non-Hispanic White males (39 percent) [Table 3.2a].
   
• Almost half (47 percent) of primary sedative admissions reported daily use of sedatives [Table 3.3].
   
• Twenty-five percent of primary sedative admissions first used sedatives after age 30 [Table 3.3].
   
• Nearly one-third (29 percent) of primary sedative admissions who were 18 and over had more than 12 years of education [Table 3.5].
   
• Sixty-two percent of primary sedative admissions reported abuse of other substances as well, primarily alcohol (28 percent) and marijuana (20 percent) [Table 5.7].

Figure 23 Sedatives Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Hallucinogens

• Hallucinogens were responsible for 0.1 percent of TEDS admissions in 2002 [Table 3.1b]. Hallucinogens include LSD, DMT, STP, mescaline, psilocybin, peyote, etc.
   
• More than half of admissions for primary hallucinogen abuse were non-Hispanic White males (54 percent), followed by non-Hispanic White females (21 percent) [Table 3.2a].
   
• Thirty-seven percent of primary hallucinogen admissions were less than 20 years of age, and another 28 percent were aged 20 to 24 years [Table 3.1a].
   
• Forty-eight percent of primary hallucinogen admissions reported not using the drug in the past month [Table 3.3].
   
• Fifty-four percent of primary hallucinogen admissions reported first using hallucinogens by the age of 16 [Table 3.3].
   
• The criminal justice system was the source of referral for 44 percent of primary hallucinogen admissions [Table 3.4].
   
• Eighty percent of primary hallucinogen admissions reported abuse of drugs in addition to hallucinogens, mainly marijuana (49 percent) and alcohol (36 percent), followed by non-smoked cocaine (15 percent) and methamphetamine/amphetamines (10 percent) [Table 5.7].

Figure 24 Hallucinogens Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Phencyclidine (PCP)

• Phencyclidine (PCP) was reported as a primary substance by 0.2 percent of TEDS admissions in 2002 [Table 3.1b].
   
• One-third (35 percent) of primary PCP admissions were non-Hispanic Black males, followed by non-Hispanic Black females (14 percent) and non-Hispanic White males (13 percent) [Table 3.2a].
   
• The usual route of administration for primary PCP admissions was smoking, reported by 87 percent of admissions; 8 percent reported oral use, and 3 percent reported inhalation [Table 3.3].
   
• The criminal justice system referred 50 percent of primary PCP admissions [Table 3.4].
   
• Seventy-three percent of primary PCP admissions reported abuse of other substances. Alcohol was reported by 40 percent and marijuana by 39 percent [Table 5.7].

Figure 25 Phencyclidine (PCP) Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.

Inhalants

• Inhalants were reported as the primary substance of abuse by 0.1 percent of 2002 TEDS admissions [Table 3.1b]. Inhalants include ether, glue, chloroform, nitrous oxide, gasoline, paint thinner, etc.
   
• Half (51 percent) of primary inhalant admissions were non-Hispanic White males, followed by non-Hispanic White females (19 percent) and males of Mexican origin (10 percent) [Table 3.1a].
   
• One in five primary inhalant admissions (19 percent) was under age 15, and another 22 percent were aged 15 to 17 years [Table 3.1a].
   
• Twenty-eight percent of primary inhalant admissions reported daily inhalant use [Table 3.3].
   
• More than one-quarter (27 percent) of primary inhalant admissions had used inhalants by the age of 12, and another 28 percent by the age of 14 [Table 3.3].
   
• The principal sources of referral for primary inhalant admissions were the criminal justice system (33 percent) and self- or individual referral (30 percent) [Table 3.4].
   
• Sixty-three percent of primary inhalant admissions reported abuse of other drugs as well, principally alcohol and marijuana (38 percent and 35 percent respectively) [Table 5.7].

Figure 26 Inhalants Admissions by sex, age, and race/ethnicity: TEDS 2002

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) - 3.01.04.