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National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

Substate Data Tables and Reports From the 2016-2018 NSDUH

NSDUH Substate Releases

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) produces substate estimates for a limited number of substance use and mental health indicators. They are based on three years of combined data and cover over 400 regions across the country.

Substate estimates are based on a small area estimation (SAE) methodology, in which substate-level NSDUH data are combined with county and sub-county level census data from the state. Several methodological documents are released with these estimates each year. The Overview and Summary of Substate Region Estimation Methodology explains the methodological details. The NSDUH Substate Region Definitions document include tables and maps defining the substate regions. A Guide to Merging Definitions is also available for merging with external data sources.

You can find the latest available substate estimates in a number of formats: data tables, reports, and maps. They are generally released every other year, although the 2018-2020 estimates are not available due to the impact of the Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on survey methodology.

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Find reports, tables, and maps for substate regions based on small area estimation of the 2016-2018 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Estimates are available in a variety of formats.

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Overview of Indicators in the Tables

The indicators listed below provide a quick overview of the topics, and measures included in the state data tables.

Use this list to confirm if the data aligns with your research needs.

Indicators Included in the Tables

Drug use and Perceived Risk

  1. Illicit Drug Use in the Past Month
  2. Marijuana Use in the Past Year
  3. Marijuana Use in the Past Month
  4. Perceptions of Great Risk from Smoking Marijuana Once a Month
  5. First Use of Marijuana in the Past Year (among those at risk for initiation)
  6. Illicit Drug Use Other than Marijuana in the Past Month
  7. Cocaine Use in the Past Year
  8. Heroin Use in the Past Year
  9. Perceptions of Great Risk from using Cocaine Once a Month
  10. Perceptions of Great Risk from Trying Heroin Once or Twice
  11. Methamphetamine Use in the Past Year
  12. Prescription Pain Reliever Misuse in the Past Year

Alcohol

  1. Alcohol Use in the Past Month
  2. Binge Alcohol Use in the Past Month
  3. Perceptions of Great Risk from Having Five or More Drinks of an Alcoholic Beverage Once or Twice a Week

Tobacco

  1. Tobacco Product Use in the Past Month
  2. Cigarette Use in the Past Month
  3. Perceptions of Great Risk from Smoking One or More Packs of Cigarettes per Day

Substance Use Disorders in the Past Year

  1. Illicit Drug Dependence
  2. Pain Reliever Use Disorder
  3. Alcohol Use Disorder
  4. Substance Use Disorder

Substance Use Treatment in the Past Year

  1. Needing But Not Receiving Treatment at a Specialty Facility for Illicit Drug Use
  2. 2Needing But Not Receiving Treatment at a Specialty Facility for Alcohol Use
  3. Needing But Not Receiving Treatment at a Specialty Facility for Substance Use

Mental Illness in the Past Year

  1. Serious Mental Illness
  2. Any Mental Illness

NSDUH Substate Result Data Tables

The 2016-2018 NSDUH substate region data tables provide estimates for measures of substance use and mental health by age group across 30 tables. The estimates are based on a small area estimation (SAE) methodology, in which substate-level NSDUH survey data of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older are combined with multiple sources of local data. The age groups available are 12 or older, 12 to 17, 18 or older, 18 to 25, and 26 or older.

The Substate Region Prevalence Estimate Tables provide a percentage estimate and 95% confidence interval for each measure, as well as which of the seven map groups each substate falls into. 

Comparisons for NSDUH Substate Prevalence Estimates

Comparison tables allow users to determine if apparent differences across time and geography are statistically significant. 

Tables allowing comparison between all substate regions, both overall and organized by state, are available as P-Value Tables. A Methodology Guide is also available to help users interpret the tables.

Maps and Substate Definitions

The 2016-2018 NSDUH National Maps of Prevalence Estimates by Substate Region show the estimates with substates sorted into seven categories based on the value of the estimate and colored accordingly. Differences in color do not indicate that the estimates are significantly different. For users who wish to make or analyze their own maps, shapefiles that can be used with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software are also available. A report is also available with more information on the ranges of the categories used for the maps. It can also be used to compare age groups.

Substate Methodology Reports

Last Updated: 2/24/2025