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210605
Table 4.1B – Past Year Initiation of Marijuana Use: Among People Aged 12 or Older, among People Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Marijuana Use, and among Past Year Marijuana Users Aged 12 or Older; by Demographic Characteristics, Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Demographic
Characteristic
Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)
Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among
People Aged 12 or Older
Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among People at
Risk for Initiation
Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
TOTAL 3,478 2,839 1.3 1.0 2.3 1.9 7.2 5.7
AGE GROUP                
12-25 2,590 2,175 4.4 3.7 6.5 5.3 17.0 15.4
12-17 1,351 1,029 5.4 4.1 6.1 4.5 41.1 40.6
12-13 128 87 1.6 1.0 1.6 1.0 63.8 *
14-15 515 469 6.1 5.4 6.6 5.8 51.9 52.3
16-17 707 473 8.6 6.0 11.0 7.3 33.8 31.0
18 or Older 2,127 1,810 0.8 0.7 1.6 1.4 4.7 3.8
18-25 1,240 1,146 3.7 3.4 7.1 6.4 10.4 9.9
18-20 766 713 5.8 5.7 9.2 8.6 17.4 18.8
21-25 474 433 2.3 2.1 5.1 4.4 6.3 5.6
26 or Older 887 664 0.4 0.3 0.8 0.6 2.7 1.9
GENDER                
Male 1,555 1,204 1.2 0.9 2.3 1.7 5.7 4.5
Female 1,923 1,635 1.4 1.1 2.3 2.0 9.1 7.2
GENDER/AGE GROUP                
Male 12-17 626 466 4.9 3.7 5.5 4.0 38.0 38.7
Female 12-17 724 563 5.9 4.6 6.6 5.0 44.3 42.5
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
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, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.2B – Past Year Initiation of Cigarette Use: Among People Aged 12 or Older, among People Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Cigarette Use, and among Past Year Cigarette Users Aged 12 or Older; by Demographic Characteristics, Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Demographic
Characteristic
Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)
Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among
People Aged 12 or Older
Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among People at
Risk for Initiation
Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
TOTAL 1,595 1,264 0.6 0.5 1.3 1.0 2.9 2.5
AGE GROUP                
12-25 1,505 1,137 2.6 1.9 3.5 2.5 15.0 13.8
12-17 541 385 2.2 1.5 2.3 1.6 40.6 39.8
12-13 71 26 0.9 0.3 0.9 0.3 * *
14-15 167 130 2.0 1.5 2.1 1.6 45.5 *
16-17 304 229 3.7 2.9 4.2 3.2 36.3 39.1
18 or Older 1,054 879 0.4 0.3 1.0 0.8 1.9 1.8
18-25 964 752 2.9 2.2 4.8 3.5 11.1 10.4
18-20 672 452 5.1 3.6 6.9 4.8 24.6 21.9
21-25 292 300 1.4 1.4 2.8 2.5 4.9 5.8
26 or Older 90 127 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3
GENDER                
Male 863 590 0.6 0.4 1.6 1.0 2.9 2.1
Female 732 674 0.5 0.5 1.0 0.9 2.9 2.9
GENDER/AGE GROUP                
Male 12-17 276 206 2.2 1.6 2.4 1.7 38.5 *
Female 12-17 265 179 2.2 1.5 2.3 1.5 43.0 40.9
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
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, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.3B – Past Year Initiation of Alcohol Use: Among People Aged 12 or Older, among People Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Alcohol Use, and among Past Year Alcohol Users Aged 12 or Older; by Demographic Characteristics, Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Demographic
Characteristic
Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)
Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among
People Aged 12 or Older
Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among People at
Risk for Initiation
Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
TOTAL 4,879 4,076 1.8 1.5 8.2 6.7 2.7 2.3
AGE GROUP                
12-25 4,673 3,901 8.0 6.7 15.6 12.4 15.8 14.0
12-17 2,259 1,817 9.1 7.3 11.0 8.6 42.8 39.2
12-13 253 240 3.1 2.8 3.3 3.0 59.0 *
14-15 881 640 10.4 7.4 12.1 8.6 54.3 42.3
16-17 1,125 936 13.6 11.9 20.2 16.9 34.9 34.3
18 or Older 2,620 2,260 1.0 0.9 6.8 5.7 1.5 1.3
18-25 2,415 2,084 7.2 6.2 25.3 20.2 9.9 9.0
18-20 1,448 1,105 11.0 8.9 23.5 17.6 19.3 17.1
21-25 966 979 4.7 4.7 28.7 24.2 5.8 5.8
26 or Older 205 176 0.1 0.1 0.7 0.6 0.1 0.1
GENDER                
Male 2,350 1,689 1.8 1.3 9.1 6.1 2.6 1.9
Female 2,529 2,388 1.8 1.7 7.6 7.2 2.8 2.7
GENDER/AGE GROUP                
Male 12-17 1,050 709 8.3 5.6 10.0 6.6 43.4 33.5
Female 12-17 1,209 1,108 9.9 9.0 12.1 10.8 42.4 44.1
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
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, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.4B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 12 or Older, among People Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and among Past Year Substance Users Aged 12 or Older; Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year Initiates
(1,000s)
Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among People
Aged 12 or Older
Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among People at Risk for Initiation
Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among Past Year Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 3,478 2,839 1.3 1.0 2.3 1.9 7.2 5.7
Cocaine 671 489 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 12.3 9.5
Crack 92 53 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 11.8 *
Heroin 50 103 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.7 *
Hallucinogens 1,221 1,413 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 20.3 19.8
LSD 883 859 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 35.8 32.6
PCP 30 52 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 * *
Ecstasy 744 632 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 29.3 24.1
Inhalants 730 678 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 34.1 28.4
Methamphetamine 184 153 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 9.2 6.0
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 1,607 1,223 0.6 0.4 nr nr 16.5 13.2
Stimulants 901 734 0.3 0.3 nr nr 18.3 14.4
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 949 950 0.3 0.3 nr nr 18.2 17.4
Sedatives 239 343 0.1 0.1 nr nr 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 1,595 1,264 0.6 0.5 1.3 1.0 2.9 2.5
Daily Cigarette Use 488 458 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 1,041 653 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.3 9.1 7.1
CIGARS 2,114 1,502 0.8 0.5 1.1 0.8 9.5 7.7
ALCOHOL 4,879 4,076 1.8 1.5 8.2 6.7 2.7 2.3
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
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 prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
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, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.5B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 12 to 17, among People Aged 12 to 17 at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and among Past Year Substance Users Aged 12 to 17; Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year Initiates
(1,000s)
Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among People
Aged 12 to 17
Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among People at Risk for Initiation
Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among Past Year Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 1,351 1,029 5.4 4.1 6.1 4.5 41.1 40.6
Cocaine 59 82 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 * *
Crack 11 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 * *
Heroin * * * * * * * *
Hallucinogens 281 251 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.0 64.0 *
LSD 205 167 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.7 73.6 *
PCP 16 * 0.1 * 0.1 * * *
Ecstasy 116 78 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.3 * *
Inhalants 381 360 1.5 1.4 1.7 1.6 51.3 52.7
Methamphetamine 25 6 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 * *
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 245 158 1.0 0.6 nr nr 43.2 *
Stimulants 238 116 1.0 0.5 nr nr 55.3 *
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 185 103 0.7 0.4 nr nr 47.2 *
Sedatives 23 18 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 541 385 2.2 1.5 2.3 1.6 40.6 39.8
Daily Cigarette Use 74 42 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 337 167 1.4 0.7 1.4 0.7 54.3 *
CIGARS 442 373 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.5 49.3 63.0
ALCOHOL 2,259 1,817 9.1 7.3 11.0 8.6 42.8 39.2
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
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 prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
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, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.6B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 18 or Older, among People Aged 18 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and among Past Year Substance Users Aged 18 or Older; Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year Initiates
(1,000s)
Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among People
Aged 18 or Older
Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among People at Risk for Initiation
Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among Past Year Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 2,127 1,810 0.8 0.7 1.6 1.4 4.7 3.8
Cocaine 612 407 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 11.4 8.0
Crack 80 51 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 10.5 *
Heroin 50 103 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.7 *
Hallucinogens 940 1,161 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 16.9 17.2
LSD 678 692 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 31.0 28.6
PCP 15 52 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 * *
Ecstasy 629 555 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 26.2 21.9
Inhalants 349 318 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 25.0 18.6
Methamphetamine 159 147 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 8.1 5.8
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 1,362 1,064 0.5 0.4 nr nr 14.9 12.0
Stimulants 663 618 0.3 0.2 nr nr 14.7 12.9
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 764 847 0.3 0.3 nr nr 15.8 16.1
Sedatives 216 325 0.1 0.1 nr nr 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 1,054 879 0.4 0.3 1.0 0.8 1.9 1.8
Daily Cigarette Use 415 416 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 704 485 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 6.5 5.5
CIGARS 1,673 1,129 0.7 0.4 1.0 0.7 7.8 5.9
ALCOHOL 2,620 2,260 1.0 0.9 6.8 5.7 1.5 1.3
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
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 prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
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, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.7B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 18 to 25, among People Aged 18 to 25 at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and among Past Year Substance Users Aged 18 to 25; Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year Initiates
(1,000s)
Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among People
Aged 18 to 25
Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among People at Risk for Initiation
Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among Past Year Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 1,240 1,146 3.7 3.4 7.1 6.4 10.4 9.9
Cocaine 476 341 1.4 1.0 1.6 1.1 26.6 23.6
Crack 17 29 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 * *
Heroin 19 12 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 * *
Hallucinogens 681 785 2.0 2.3 2.4 2.7 28.1 32.1
LSD 460 521 1.4 1.6 1.5 1.7 38.3 41.5
PCP 15 45 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 * *
Ecstasy 448 309 1.3 0.9 1.5 1.0 41.2 36.6
Inhalants 250 201 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.7 43.4 *
Methamphetamine 63 51 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 22.9 *
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 404 290 1.2 0.9 nr nr 23.0 21.3
Stimulants 364 294 1.1 0.9 nr nr 18.7 18.2
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 329 290 1.0 0.9 nr nr 25.1 26.2
Sedatives 39 77 0.1 0.2 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 964 752 2.9 2.2 4.8 3.5 11.1 10.4
Daily Cigarette Use 235 248 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 424 375 1.3 1.1 1.5 1.3 16.4 18.6
CIGARS 1,154 678 3.4 2.0 4.7 2.7 21.0 16.4
ALCOHOL 2,415 2,084 7.2 6.2 25.3 20.2 9.9 9.0
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
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 prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
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, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.8B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 26 or Older, among People Aged 26 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and among Past Year Substance Users Aged 26 or Older; Numbers in Thousands and Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year Initiates
(1,000s)
Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among People
Aged 26 or Older
Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among People at Risk for Initiation
Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among Past Year Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 887 664 0.4 0.3 0.8 0.6 2.7 1.9
Cocaine 135 66 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 3.8 1.8
Crack 63 23 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 * *
Heroin 31 91 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.7 *
Hallucinogens 259 376 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 8.2 8.7
LSD 219 171 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 22.1 14.7
PCP * * * * * * * *
Ecstasy 180 245 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 13.8 14.5
Inhalants 99 117 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 12.1 9.7
Methamphetamine 96 97 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.7 4.1
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 958 774 0.4 0.4 nr nr 12.9 10.3
Stimulants 299 324 0.1 0.1 nr nr 11.7 10.2
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 435 557 0.2 0.3 nr nr 12.4 13.4
Sedatives 176 249 0.1 0.1 nr nr 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 90 127 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3
Daily Cigarette Use 180 168 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 280 110 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 3.4 1.6
CIGARS 518 450 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.3 3.3 3.0
ALCOHOL 205 176 0.1 0.1 0.7 0.6 0.1 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: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
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 prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
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, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.9A – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 12 or Older Who Initiated Use Prior to Age 18, Prior to Age 21, and at Age 21 or Older; Numbers in Thousands, 2019 and 2020
Substance People Who Initiated Use
Prior to Age 18
People Who Initiated Use
Prior to Age 21
People Who Initiated Use
at Age 21 or Older
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 1,509 1,107 2,169 1,779 1,309 1,060
Cocaine 81 96 304 244 367 245
Crack 11 2 19 17 72 36
Heroin * * 8 7 42 96
Hallucinogens 300 291 689 716 532 697
LSD 226 209 477 464 407 395
PCP 16 5 23 32 * 20
Ecstasy 138 87 374 217 370 416
Inhalants 397 379 502 462 229 216
Methamphetamine 25 6 60 35 124 118
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 280 * 471 * 1,136 955
Stimulants 262 * 482 * 419 433
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 216 * 375 * 575 719
Sedatives * * * * 193 293
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 610 434 1,265 894 330 370
Daily Cigarette Use 86 54 234 189 254 269
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 371 181 620 437 421 216
CIGARS 518 412 1,322 807 792 696
ALCOHOL 2,550 1,975 3,815 3,042 1,064 1,035
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
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 prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
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, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.10B – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 12 to 49; Mean Age at First Substance Use: Among Past Year Initiates Aged 12 to 49; by Gender, Numbers in Thousands and Averages, 2019 and 2020
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
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 3,224 2,598 20.6 20.2 20.3 20.1 20.8 20.2
Cocaine 671 489 22.4 21.8 22.6 20.1 22.3 23.8
Crack 71 53 27.2 26.6 26.0 * 28.8 *
Heroin 33 103 28.5 * * * * *
Hallucinogens 1,183 1,364 21.5 22.3 20.8 20.4 22.4 24.2
LSD 866 859 21.2 21.9 21.5 21.7 20.7 22.3
PCP 30 52 18.0 * 18.4 * * *
Ecstasy 726 610 22.0 25.3 21.6 23.7 22.5 26.9
Inhalants 729 664 18.4 18.6 19.3 20.6 17.5 16.9
Methamphetamine 151 122 25.6 31.3 26.5 37.7 24.7 23.3
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 1,287 815 27.5 27.4 28.6 30.0 26.5 25.0
Stimulants 865 624 22.8 24.9 22.0 24.5 24.0 25.2
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 787 759 24.1 25.8 24.1 26.3 24.2 25.4
Sedatives 118 191 27.5 29.2 26.8 26.4 27.9 32.6
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 1,573 1,264 18.5 19.4 18.2 18.6 18.8 20.0
Daily Cigarette Use 438 419 23.6 22.2 21.7 21.2 25.5 23.5
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 949 653 20.7 20.5 19.8 19.6 22.3 22.2
CIGARS 2,016 1,329 21.4 22.0 20.8 21.2 22.4 24.0
ALCOHOL 4,832 3,969 17.7 17.7 17.5 17.6 17.8 17.9
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
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 prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
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, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.

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