How can PUF and RUF data be accessed on the SAMHSA data site?
There are three ways to access data. Not all ways are available for all study files.
Public-use Microdata Files
Public-use files (PUFs) are microdata files constructed from the restricted-use data files (RUFs) by treating the data with confidentiality protections. The exact confidentiality protections vary by data program and more information on specific data treatments is located in the corresponding codebook. PUFs are publicly available and can be downloaded on SAMHSA Data by study and year by selecting the desired collection from the Data We Collect page and navigating to the datafiles tab.
DAS is a user-friendly online analysis tool for users to analyze public-use data and restricted-use data. This tool allows users to review study variables, run crosstab analyses, perform logistic regressions, and download the results of any analysis to CSV format. DAS is populated with the PUFs and may not contain all variables of interest. No files need to be downloaded.
Additionally, DAS is populated with NSDUH-restricted data, including certain geographic identifiers, like state. Single-year estimates are not available through DAS for restricted data. Although DAS contains most of the variables available on the full NSDUH restricted-use file (RUF) some exceptions include individual weighting components and pair relationships. Restricted use data goes as far back as 2002. Please note, that restricted use data is restricted so users cannot view the actual microdata and it does not return results that fail to comply with SAMHSA’s disclosure limitations.