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Among persons aged 12 or older, Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders were less likely than persons of other racial and ethnic groups to need treatment for substance use in the past year. That is, 4.9 percent of Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders (558,000 persons) and 9.5 percent of other racial and ethnic groups (22.5 million persons) needed treatment for alcohol or illicit drug use (Figure 1). Among persons aged 12 years or older, Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders were less likely than persons of other racial or ethnic groups to have needed treatment for alcohol use (3.9 vs. 7.8 percent). Similarly, Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders were less likely than persons of other racial or ethnic groups to have needed treatment for illicit drug use (1.4 vs. 3.2 percent).
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Need for Treatment | Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups |
---|---|---|
Need for Alcohol Use Treatment* | 3.9% | 7.8% |
Need for Illicit Drug Use Treatment* | 1.4% | 3.2% |
Need for Illicit Drug or Alcohol Use Treatment* | 4.9% | 9.5% |
*Difference between Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders and persons of other racial and ethnic groups is significant at the .05 level. Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 2003 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 (revised March 2012), and 2011 |
Among those aged 12 or older in need of substance use treatment, Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders were less likely than persons of other racial and ethnic groups to receive specialty treatment. An estimated 30,000 Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders (5.3 percent) and 2.3 million persons of other racial and ethnic groups (10.4 percent) needed and received specialty treatment for illicit drug or alcohol use (Figure 2).
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Received Treatment | Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups |
---|---|---|
Received Treatment for Alcohol* | 3.7% | 8.3% |
Received Treatment for Illicit Drugs* | 10.9% | 18.1% |
Received Treatment for Illicit Drugs or Alcohol* | 5.3% | 10.4% |
*Difference between Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders and persons of other racial and ethnic groups is significant at the .05 level. Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 2003 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 (revised March 2012), and 2011. |
An estimated 529,000 Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders needed but did not receive specialty substance use treatment in the past year, compared with 20.1 million persons of other racial and ethnic groups. Among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders who needed but did not receive specialty substance use treatment, 97.9 percent did not feel the need for treatment, 0.7 percent felt the need for treatment and made an effort to receive it, and 1.3 percent felt the need but did not make an effort to get treatment (Figure 3). In comparison, among persons of other racial and ethnic groups, 94.7 percent did not feel the need for treatment, 1.6 felt the need and made an effort to get it, and 3.7 percent felt the need and did not make an effort to get it.
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Need for Treatment | Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups |
---|---|---|
Did Not Feel the Need for Treatment | 97.9%* | 94.7% |
Felt the Need and Made the Effort | 0.7% | 1.6% |
Felt the Need and Did Not Make the Effort | 1.3%* | 3.7% |
*Difference between Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders and persons of other racial and ethnic groups is significant at the .05 level. Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 2003 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 (revised March 2012), and 2011, |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in each age, gender, income, Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and health insurance coverage group were less likely than persons of other racial or ethnic groups to need substance use treatment (Table 1). For example, 6.7 percent of male Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders needed substance use treatment, whereas 12.7 percent of males of other racial or ethnic groups needed treatment. Almost 14 percent of Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders who were 18 to 25 years of age needed substance use treatment compared with 21.5 percent of persons of other racial or ethnic groups.
Sociodemographic Characteristic |
Needed Substance Use Treatment: Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders |
Needed Substance Use Treatment: Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups |
Received Substance Use Treatment: Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders Who Needed Treatment |
Received Substance Use Treatment: Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups Who Needed Treatment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 4.9% | 9.5% | 5.3% | 10.4% |
Aged 12 to 17 | 3.8%* | 8.2% | 7.7% | 8.0% |
Aged 18 to 25 | 13.9%* | 21.5% | 3.6%* | 7.7% |
Aged 26 or Older | 3.3%* | 7.6% | 6.3%* | 12.1% |
Male | 6.7%* | 12.7% | 4.9%* | 10.7% |
Female | 3.2%* | 6.5% | 6.1% | 9.9% |
Less than 100% Federal Poverty Level (FPL)** |
6.7%* | 12.8% | — | 18.4% |
100%-199% FPL | 4.7%* | 9.7% | 5.1%* | 12.8% |
200% or More FPL | 4.1%* | 8.7% | 3.5%* | 8.0% |
Health Insurance Coverage | 4.4%* | 8.4% | 5.1%* | 9.6% |
No Health Insurance Coverage |
7.8%* | 15.9% | 6.1%* | 13.0% |
*Difference between Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders and persons of other racial and ethnic groups is significant at the .05 level. ** Estimates are based on a definition of the Federal Poverty Level that incorporates information on family income, size, and composition and is calculated as a percentage of the U.S. Census Bureau's poverty thresholds. Respondents aged 18 to 22 who were living in a college dormitory were excluded. Estimates for poverty are only based on 2005 to 2011 data. — Data suppressed due to low precision. Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 2003 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 (revised March 2012), and 2011. |
Among those who needed substance use treatment in the past year, Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in most age, income, FPL, and health insurance coverage groups were less likely than persons of other racial or ethnic groups to receive substance use treatment. For persons aged 12 to 17 and females who needed treatment, there was no difference between Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders and persons of other racial or ethnic groups in whether they received specialty treatment.
SAMHSA aims to reduce the impact of substance abuse and to improve access to quality services and support. This report shows that non-Hispanic Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders are less likely to need substance use treatment than individuals of other racial or ethnic groups. Among those who needed treatment for illicit drug or alcohol use in the past year, Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders are also less likely than persons of other racial or ethnic groups to receive specialty treatment. Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders who need but do not receive treatment are less likely to recognize their need for treatment and less likely to make an effort to receive specialty treatment. As the Asian American or Pacific Islander population continues to grow, increasing the awareness of Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders about their need for specialty treatment and access to specialty treatment facilities becomes even more important.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is an annual survey sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 2003 to 2011 data used in this report are based on information obtained from 22,000 non-Hispanic Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders aged 12 or older, and 590,000 persons of other racial and ethnic groups, aged 12 or older. The survey collects data by administering questionnaires to a representative sample of the population through face-to-face interviews at their place of residence. The NSDUH Report is prepared by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), SAMHSA, and by RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. (RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute.) Information on the most recent NSDUH is available in the following publication: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2012). Results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of national findings (HHS Publication No. SMA 12-4713, NSDUH Series H-44). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Also available online: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/. |
Need/Receipt of Treatment | Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Number |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Percentage |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Standard Error |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Number |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Percentage |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Standard Error |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Need for Alcohol Use Treatment |
452 | 3.9% | 0.19 | 18,483 | 7.8% | 0.06 |
Need for Illicit Drug Use Treatment |
163 | 1.4% | 0.11 | 7,484 | 3.2% | 0.03 |
Need for Illicit Drug or Alcohol Use Treatment |
558 | 4.9% | 0.21 | 22,479 | 9.5% | 0.07 |
NOTE: Respondents were classified as needing treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol problem if they met at least one of three criteria during the past year: (1) dependent on illicit drugs or alcohol; (2) abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol; or (3) received treatment for illicit drug or alcohol use at a specialty facility (i.e., drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility [inpatient or outpatient], hospital [inpatient only], or mental health center). NOTE: Illicit Drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used nonmedically, including data from original methamphetamine questions but not including new methamphetamine items added in 2005 and 2006. Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 2003 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 (revised March 2012), and 2011. |
Need/Receipt of Treatment | Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Number |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Percentage |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Standard Error |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Number |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Percentage |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Standard Error |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Received Treatment for Alcohol Use among those Who Needed Alcohol Treatment |
17 | 3.7% | 0.99 | 1,530 | 8.3% | 0.22 |
Received Treatment for Illicit Drug Use among those Who Needed Illicit Drug Treatment |
18 | 10.9% | 3.18 | 1,351 | 18.1% | 0.43 |
Received Treatment for Illicit Drug or Alcohol Use among those Who Needed Illicit Drug or Alcohol Treatment |
30 | 5.3% | 1.18 | 2,338 | 10.4% | 0.21 |
NOTE: Respondents were classified as needing treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol problem if they met at least one of three criteria during the past year: (1) dependent on illicit drugs or alcohol; (2) abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol; or (3) received treatment for illicit drug or alcohol use at a specialty facility (i.e., drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility [inpatient or outpatient], hospital [inpatient only], or mental health center). NOTE: Illicit Drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used nonmedically, including data from original methamphetamine questions but not including new methamphetamine items added in 2005 and 2006. Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 2003 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 (revised March 2012), and 2011. |
Need/Receipt of Treatment | Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Number |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Percentage |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Standard Error |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Number |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Percentage |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Standard Error |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Did Not Feel Need for Treatment 1 |
518 | 97.9% | 0.68 | 19,072 | 94.7% | 0.17 |
Felt the Need and Made Effort to Get Treatment 1 |
4 | 0.7% | 0.46 | 321 | 1.6% | 0.09 |
Felt the Need and Did not Make the Effort to Get Treatment 1 |
7 | 1.3% | 0.49 | 748 | 3.7% | 0.14 |
NOTE: Respondents were classified as needing treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol problem if they met at least one of three criteria during the past year: (1) dependent on illicit drugs or alcohol; (2) abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol; or (3) received treatment for illicit drug or alcohol use at a specialty facility (i.e., drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility [inpatient or outpatient], hospital [inpatient only], or mental health center). NOTE: Needing but not receiving treatment refers to respondents classified as needing treatment for illicit drugs or alcohol, but have not received treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol problem at a specialty facility. 1 Felt Need for Treatment includes persons who did not receive but felt they needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol problem, as well as persons who received treatment at a location other than a specialty facility but felt they needed additional treatment. Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 2003 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 (revised March 2012), and 2011. |
Demographic Characteristic | Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Number |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Percentage |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Standard Error |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Number |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Percentage |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Standard Error |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 558 | 4.9% | 0.21 | 22,479 | 9.5% | 0.07 |
Aged 12 to 17 | 42 | 3.8% | 0.32 | 1,960 | 8.2% | 0.08 |
Aged 18 to 25 | 232 | 13.9% | 0.55 | 6,733 | 21.5% | 0.14 |
Aged 26 or Older | 284 | 3.3% | 0.24 | 13,787 | 7.6% | 0.08 |
Male | 367 | 6.7% | 0.33 | 14,551 | 12.7% | 0.11 |
Female | 192 | 3.2% | 0.26 | 7,928 | 6.5% | 0.07 |
Less Than 100% Federal Poverty Level (FPL)1 |
95 | 6.7% | 0.66 | 3,935 | 12.8% | 0.22 |
100% to 199% FPL | 91 | 4.7% | 0.45 | 4,578 | 9.7% | 0.15 |
200% or More FPL | 343 | 4.1% | 0.27 | 13,817 | 8.7% | 0.09 |
Health Insurance Coverage | 437 | 4.4% | 0.21 | 16,986 | 8.4% | 0.07 |
No Health Insurance Coverage |
122 | 7.8% | 0.74 | 5,493 | 15.9% | 0.19 |
NOTE: Respondents were classified as needing treatment for a substance use problem if they met at least one of three criteria during the past year: (1) dependent on the substance; (2) abuse of the substance; or (3) received treatment for substance use at a specialty facility (i.e., drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility [inpatient or outpatient], hospital [inpatient], or mental health center). 1 Estimates are based on a definition of Poverty Level that incorporates information on family income, size, and composition and is calculated as a percentage of the U.S. Census Bureau's poverty thresholds. Respondents aged 18 to 22 who were living in a college dormitory were excluded. Estimates for poverty are only based on 2005 to 2011 data. Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 2003 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 (revised March 2012), and 2011. |
Demographic Characteristic | Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Number |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Percentage |
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders: Standard Error |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Number |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Percentage |
Persons of Other Racial and Ethnic Groups: Standard Error |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 30 | 5.3% | 1.18 | 2,338 | 10.4% | 0.21 |
Aged 12 to 17 | 3 | 7.7% | 2.52 | 158 | 8.0% | 0.28 |
Aged 18 to 25 | 8 | 3.6% | 0.87 | 518 | 7.7% | 0.17 |
Aged 26 or Older | 18 | 6.3% | 2.09 | 1,662 | 12.1% | 0.33 |
Male | 18 | 4.9% | 1.20 | 1,552 | 10.7% | 0.28 |
Female | 12 | 6.1% | 2.57 | 786 | 9.9% | 0.32 |
Less Than 100% Federal Poverty Level (FPL)1 |
— | — | — | 723 | 18.4% | 0.71 |
100% to 199% FPL | 5 | 5.1% | 2.09 | 587 | 12.8% | 0.56 |
200% or More FPL | 12 | 3.5% | 1.07 | 1,103 | 8.0% | 0.29 |
Health Insurance Coverage | 22 | 5.1% | 1.33 | 1,623 | 9.6% | 0.23 |
No Health Insurance Coverage | 7 | 6.1% | 2.59 | 715 | 13.0% | 0.47 |
— Low precision; no estimate reported. NOTE: Respondents were classified as needing treatment for a substance use problem if they met at least one of three criteria during the past year: (1) dependent on the substance; (2) abuse of the substance; or (3) received treatment for substance use at a specialty facility (i.e., drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility [inpatient or outpatient], hospital [inpatient], or mental health center). NOTE: Received Substance Use Treatment at a Specialty Facility refers to treatment received at a hospital (inpatient), rehabilitation facility (inpatient or outpatient), or mental health center in order to reduce or stop illicit drug or alcohol use, or for medical problems associated with illicit drug or alcohol use. Estimates include persons who received treatment specifically for illicit drugs or alcohol, as well as persons who received treatment but did not specify for what substance(s). 1 Estimates are based on a definition of Poverty Level that incorporates information on family income, size, and composition and is calculated as a percentage of the U.S. Census Bureau's poverty thresholds. Respondents aged 18 to 22 who were living in a college dormitory were excluded. Estimates for poverty are only based on 2005 to 2011 data. Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 2003 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 (revised March 2012), and 2011. |
NSDUH_125
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