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200416
Table 4.1B – Past Year Initiation of Marijuana Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older, Persons Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Marijuana Use, and Past Year Marijuana Users Aged 12 or Older, by Demographic Characteristics: Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2018 and 2019
Demographic Characteristic Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Persons at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
TOTAL 3,061a 3,478 1.1a 1.3 2.0a 2.3 7.0 7.2
AGE GROUP                
12-25 2,536 2,590 4.3 4.4 6.3 6.5 17.0 17.0
12-17 1,339 1,351 5.4 5.4 6.0 6.1 43.1 41.1
12-13 89 128 1.1 1.6 1.1 1.6 * 63.8
14-15 554 515 6.6 6.1 7.1 6.6 58.0 51.9
16-17 696 707 8.1 8.6 10.2 11.0 34.6 33.8
18 or Older 1,722a 2,127 0.7a 0.8 1.3a 1.6 4.3 4.7
18-25 1,197 1,240 3.5 3.7 6.8 7.1 10.1 10.4
18-20 768 766 5.9 5.8 9.6 9.2 16.8 17.4
21-25 429 474 2.0 2.3 4.4 5.1 5.9 6.3
26 or Older 525a 887 0.2a 0.4 0.5a 0.8 1.8a 2.7
GENDER                
Male 1,358 1,555 1.0 1.2 2.0 2.3 5.5 5.7
Female 1,704a 1,923 1.2 1.4 2.0a 2.3 9.0 9.1
GENDER/AGE GROUP                
Male 12-17 597 626 4.7 4.9 5.3 5.5 38.7 38.0
Female 12-17 742 724 6.1 5.9 6.7 6.6 47.3 44.3
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
a The difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. Rounding may make the estimates appear identical.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019.
200416
Table 4.2B – Past Year Initiation of Cigarette Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older, Persons Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Cigarette Use, and Past Year Cigarette Users Aged 12 or Older, by Demographic Characteristics: Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2018 and 2019
Demographic Characteristic Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Persons at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
TOTAL 1,825a 1,595 0.7a 0.6 1.5a 1.3 3.2 2.9
AGE GROUP                
12-25 1,712a 1,505 2.9 2.6 4.0a 3.5 15.8 15.0
12-17 571 541 2.3 2.2 2.5 2.3 41.8 40.6
12-13 46 71 0.6 0.9 0.6 0.9 * *
14-15 207 167 2.5 2.0 2.6 2.1 49.7 45.5
16-17 318 304 3.7 3.7 4.3 4.2 37.2 36.3
18 or Older 1,254a 1,054 0.5a 0.4 1.3a 1.0 2.2 1.9
18-25 1,141a 964 3.4a 2.9 5.8a 4.8 12.0 11.1
18-20 781 672 6.0 5.1 8.5a 6.9 25.3 24.6
21-25 360 292 1.7 1.4 3.5 2.8 5.6 4.9
26 or Older 113 90 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2
GENDER                
Male 900 863 0.7 0.6 1.7 1.6 2.9 2.9
Female 925a 732 0.7a 0.5 1.3a 1.0 3.6a 2.9
GENDER/AGE GROUP                
Male 12-17 265 276 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 38.1 38.5
Female 12-17 305 265 2.5 2.2 2.7 2.3 45.7 43.0
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
a The difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. Rounding may make the estimates appear identical.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019.
200416
Table 4.3B – Past Year Initiation of Alcohol Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older, Persons Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Alcohol Use, and Past Year Alcohol Users Aged 12 or Older, by Demographic Characteristics: Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2018 and 2019
Demographic Characteristic Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Persons at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
TOTAL 4,878 4,879 1.8 1.8 8.5 8.2 2.7 2.7
AGE GROUP                
12-25 4,816 4,673 8.2 8.0 16.0 15.6 16.0 15.8
12-17 2,380 2,259 9.6 9.1 11.5 11.0 45.9 42.8
12-13 213 253 2.7 3.1 2.9 3.3 60.7 59.0
14-15 946 881 11.2 10.4 13.1 12.1 55.7 54.3
16-17 1,221 1,125 14.2 13.6 20.3 20.2 38.9a 34.9
18 or Older 2,498 2,620 1.0 1.0 6.8 6.8 1.4 1.5
18-25 2,436 2,415 7.2 7.2 26.0 25.3 9.8 9.9
18-20 1,501 1,448 11.5 11.0 25.0 23.5 19.7 19.3
21-25 935 966 4.5 4.7 27.8 28.7 5.4 5.8
26 or Older 63a 205 0.0a 0.1 0.2a 0.7 0.0a 0.1
GENDER                
Male 2,300 2,350 1.7 1.8 9.3 9.1 2.6 2.6
Female 2,579 2,529 1.8 1.8 7.9 7.6 2.9 2.8
GENDER/AGE GROUP                
Male 12-17 1,090 1,050 8.6 8.3 10.3 10.0 44.1 43.4
Female 12-17 1,290 1,209 10.6 9.9 12.7 12.1 47.5a 42.4
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
a The difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. Rounding may make the estimates appear identical.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019.
200416
Table 4.4B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older, Persons Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and Past Year Substance Users Aged 12 or Older: Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2018 and 2019
Substance Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Persons at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 3,061a 3,478 1.1a 1.3 2.0a 2.3 7.0 7.2
Cocaine 874a 671 0.3a 0.2 0.4a 0.3 15.8a 12.3
Crack 101 92 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 13.3 11.8
Heroin 117a 50 0.0a 0.0 0.0a 0.0 14.5a 6.7
Hallucinogens 1,116 1,221 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 19.9 20.3
LSD 778 883 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 33.5 35.8
PCP 14 30 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 * *
Ecstasy 722 744 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 28.7 29.3
Inhalants 576a 730 0.2a 0.3 0.2a 0.3 28.8 34.1
Methamphetamine 205 184 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 11.0 9.2
Misuse of Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 1,908 1,607 0.7 0.6 nr nr 19.2 16.5
Stimulants 1,001 901 0.4 0.3 nr nr 19.6 18.3
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 1,210a 949 0.4a 0.3 nr nr 21.1 18.2
Sedatives 251 239 0.1 0.1 nr nr 23.2 21.8
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 1,825a 1,595 0.7a 0.6 1.5a 1.3 3.2 2.9
Daily Cigarette Use 495 488 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 918 1,041 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 8.4 9.1
CIGARS 2,274 2,114 0.8 0.8 1.2 1.1 9.9 9.5
ALCOHOL 4,878 4,879 1.8 1.8 8.5 8.2 2.7 2.7
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Section 3.4.2 in Chapter 3 of the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
a The difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. Rounding may make the estimates appear identical.
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019.
200416
Table 4.5B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use among Persons Aged 12 to 17, Persons Aged 12 to 17 at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and Past Year Substance Users Aged 12 to 17: Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2018 and 2019
Substance Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Persons at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 1,339 1,351 5.4 5.4 6.0 6.1 43.1 41.1
Cocaine 74 59 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 * *
Crack 4 11 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 * *
Heroin 7 * 0.0 * 0.0 * * *
Hallucinogens 234 281 0.9 1.1 1.0 1.1 62.1 64.0
LSD 142a 205 0.6a 0.8 0.6a 0.8 69.4 73.6
PCP 5 16 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 * *
Ecstasy 105 116 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 * *
Inhalants 308 381 1.2 1.5 1.3 1.7 46.5 51.3
Methamphetamine 31 25 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 * *
Misuse of Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 310 245 1.2 1.0 nr nr 44.6 43.2
Stimulants 181 238 0.7 1.0 nr nr 49.1 55.3
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 215 185 0.9 0.7 nr nr 51.0 47.2
Sedatives 36 23 0.1 0.1 nr nr * *
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 571 541 2.3 2.2 2.5 2.3 41.8 40.6
Daily Cigarette Use 63 74 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 307 337 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.4 49.1 54.3
CIGARS 493 442 2.0 1.8 2.0 1.8 53.1 49.3
ALCOHOL 2,380 2,259 9.6 9.1 11.5 11.0 45.9 42.8
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Section 3.4.2 in Chapter 3 of the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
a The difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. Rounding may make the estimates appear identical.
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019.
200416
Table 4.6B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use among Persons Aged 18 or Older, Persons Aged 18 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and Past Year Substance Users Aged 18 or Older: Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2018 and 2019
Substance Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Persons at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 1,722a 2,127 0.7a 0.8 1.3a 1.6 4.3 4.7
Cocaine 799a 612 0.3a 0.2 0.4a 0.3 14.8a 11.4
Crack 97 80 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 12.9 10.5
Heroin 110a 50 0.0a 0.0 0.0a 0.0 13.8 6.7
Hallucinogens 882 940 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 16.9 16.9
LSD 636 678 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 30.1 31.0
PCP * 15 * 0.0 * 0.0 * *
Ecstasy 617 629 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 25.9 26.2
Inhalants 269 349 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 20.1 25.0
Methamphetamine 174 159 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 9.5 8.1
Misuse of Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 1,598 1,362 0.6 0.5 nr nr 17.3 14.9
Stimulants 820 663 0.3 0.3 nr nr 17.3 14.7
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 995a 764 0.4a 0.3 nr nr 18.7 15.8
Sedatives 216 216 0.1 0.1 nr nr 21.1 21.2
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 1,254a 1,054 0.5a 0.4 1.3a 1.0 2.2 1.9
Daily Cigarette Use 433 415 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 611 704 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 5.9 6.5
CIGARS 1,781 1,673 0.7 0.7 1.1 1.0 8.1 7.8
ALCOHOL 2,498 2,620 1.0 1.0 6.8 6.8 1.4 1.5
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Section 3.4.2 in Chapter 3 of the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
a The difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. Rounding may make the estimates appear identical.
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019.
200416
Table 4.7B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use among Persons Aged 18 to 25, Persons Aged 18 to 25 at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and Past Year Substance Users Aged 18 to 25: Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2018 and 2019
Substance Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Persons at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 1,197 1,240 3.5 3.7 6.8 7.1 10.1 10.4
Cocaine 616a 476 1.8a 1.4 2.0a 1.6 31.3 26.6
Crack 36 17 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 * *
Heroin 35 19 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 * *
Hallucinogens 632 681 1.9 2.0 2.2 2.4 27.1 28.1
LSD 468 460 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5 39.4 38.3
PCP 8 15 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 * *
Ecstasy 460 448 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.5 43.3 41.2
Inhalants 210 250 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 42.5 43.4
Methamphetamine 68 63 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 24.9 22.9
Misuse of Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 464 404 1.4 1.2 nr nr 25.0 23.0
Stimulants 517a 364 1.5a 1.1 nr nr 23.4a 18.7
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 434a 329 1.3 1.0 nr nr 27.7 25.1
Sedatives 73 39 0.2 0.1 nr nr * *
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 1,141a 964 3.4a 2.9 5.8a 4.8 12.0 11.1
Daily Cigarette Use 353a 235 1.0a 0.7 1.2a 0.8 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 414 424 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 17.2 16.4
CIGARS 1,246 1,154 3.7 3.4 5.2 4.7 21.4 21.0
ALCOHOL 2,436 2,415 7.2 7.2 26.0 25.3 9.8 9.9
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Section 3.4.2 in Chapter 3 of the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
a The difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. Rounding may make the estimates appear identical.
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019.
200416
Table 4.8B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use among Persons Aged 26 or Older, Persons Aged 26 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and Past Year Substance Users Aged 26 or Older: Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2018 and 2019
Substance Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Persons at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 525a 887 0.2a 0.4 0.5a 0.8 1.8a 2.7
Cocaine 184 135 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 5.3 3.8
Crack 61 63 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.2 *
Heroin 75 31 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 11.7 4.7
Hallucinogens 250 259 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 8.7 8.2
LSD 169 219 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 18.1 22.1
PCP * * * * * * * *
Ecstasy 157 180 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 11.9 13.8
Inhalants 58 99 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 6.9 12.1
Methamphetamine 106 96 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 6.8 5.7
Misuse of Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 1,134 958 0.5 0.4 nr nr 15.3 12.9
Stimulants 302 299 0.1 0.1 nr nr 12.0 11.7
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 560 435 0.3 0.2 nr nr 14.9 12.4
Sedatives 143 176 0.1 0.1 nr nr 17.3 21.0
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 113 90 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2
Daily Cigarette Use 80a 180 0.0a 0.1 0.1a 0.1 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 197 280 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 2.5 3.4
CIGARS 535 518 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 3.3 3.3
ALCOHOL 63a 205 0.0a 0.1 0.2a 0.7 0.0a 0.1
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Section 3.4.2 in Chapter 3 of the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
a The difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. Rounding may make the estimates appear identical.
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019.
200420
Table 4.9A – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older Who Initiated Use Prior to Age 18, Prior to Age 21, and at Age 21 or Older: Numbers in Thousands, 2018 and 2019
Substance Persons Who Initiated Use
Prior to Age 18		 Persons Who Initiated Use
Prior to Age 21		 Persons Who Initiated Use
at Age 21 or Older
2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 1,491 1,509 2,174 2,169 888a 1,309
Cocaine 100 81 415a 304 459 367
Crack 4 11 18 19 82 72
Heroin 11 * 27 8 90 42
Hallucinogens 299 300 642 689 474 532
LSD 183 226 408 477 370 407
PCP 8 16 9 23 * *
Ecstasy 125 138 388 374 334 370
Inhalants 334 397 417 502 159 229
Methamphetamine 37 25 72 60 133 124
Misuse of Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 355 280 559 471 1,349 1,136
Stimulants 226 262 510 482 491 419
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 271 216 456 375 754 575
Sedatives * * * * 176 193
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 722 610 1,401 1,265 424 330
Daily Cigarette Use 98 86 312a 234 184 254
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 335 371 583 620 335 421
CIGARS 584 518 1,337 1,322 937 792
ALCOHOL 2,670 2,550 3,972 3,815 906 1,064
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Section 3.4.2 in Chapter 3 of the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
a The difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. Rounding may make the estimates appear identical.
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019.
200420
Table 4.10B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use among Persons 12 to 49 and Mean Age at First Substance Use among Past Year Initiates Aged 12 to 49, by Gender: Numbers in Thousands and Averages, 2018 and 2019
Substance Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Mean Age among Past Year
Initiates		 Mean Age among Past Year
Male Initiates		 Mean Age among Past Year
Female Initiates
2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 2,953 3,224 19.3a 20.6 18.9 20.3 19.7 20.8
Cocaine 874a 671 21.9 22.4 21.2 22.6 22.5 22.3
Crack 101 71 27.7 27.2 25.9 26.0 29.3 28.8
Heroin 117a 33 30.1 28.5 30.0 * 30.2 *
Hallucinogens 1,089 1,183 21.3 21.5 21.2 20.8 21.5 22.4
LSD 778 866 21.5 21.2 21.6 21.5 21.3 20.7
PCP 14 30 * 18.0 * 18.4 * *
Ecstasy 722 726 21.9 22.0 21.4 21.6 22.4 22.5
Inhalants 576a 729 18.0 18.4 18.4 19.3 17.5 17.5
Methamphetamine 205 151 25.8 25.6 25.7 26.5 26.0 24.7
Misuse of Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 1,455 1,287 26.6 27.5 27.0 28.6 26.4 26.5
Stimulants 965 865 22.7 22.8 21.5 22.0 23.8 24.0
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 967a 787 23.6 24.1 22.3 24.1 24.5 24.2
Sedatives 186 118 25.0 27.5 26.9 26.8 22.0 27.9
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 1,824a 1,573 18.6 18.5 18.5 18.2 18.6 18.8
Daily Cigarette Use 476 438 20.5a 23.6 20.1 21.7 21.1a 25.5
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 845 949 20.4 20.7 19.1 19.8 22.9 22.3
CIGARS 2,183 2,016 21.5 21.4 20.6 20.8 22.6 22.4
ALCOHOL 4,878 4,832 17.4 17.7 17.4 17.5 17.4 17.8
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Section 3.4.2 in Chapter 3 of the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
a The difference between this estimate and the 2019 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. Rounding may make the estimates appear identical.
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019.

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