2022 Methodological Summary And Definitions

Use this summary report to properly interpret 2022 NSDUH estimates related to substance use, mental health, and treatment. The report accompanies the annual detailed tables and covers overall methodology, key definitions for measures and terms used in 2022 NSDUH reports and tables, and selected analyses of the measures and how they should be interpreted.

The report is organized into five chapters:

1. Introduction.
2. Description of the survey, including information about the sample design, data collection procedures and questionnaire changes, and key aspects of data processing such as development of the analysis weights.
3. Technical details on the statistical methods and measurement, such as suppression criteria for unreliable estimates, statistical testing procedures, revised estimates for 2021 to account for data collection mode, and issues around selected substance use and mental health measures.
4. Special topics related to prescription psychotherapeutic drugs.
5. Description of other sources of data on substance use and mental health issues in the United States, including data sources for populations outside the NSDUH target population.

An appendix covers key definitions used in NSDUH reports and tables.