Marijuana is by far the most used illicit drug in the United States, with over 61 million people using this drug in 2023. The second most used drug at that time was cocaine, followed by methamphetamine and ecstasy. The United States has had a complicated history with drugs, from fighting a “War on Drugs” starting in the 1970s, to seeing the legalisation of marijuana in many states, and experiencing an ongoing nationwide opioid overdose epidemic. Recreational marijuana Although marijuana is still illegal under federal law, 21 states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. This legalization has opened a new and thriving market in these states. It is estimated that sales of legal cannabis will reach around 25 billion U.S. dollars by the year 2025. Although support for the legalization of marijuana has not always been strong, now around 68 percent of U.S. adults believe it should be made legal. The opioid epidemic The opioid epidemic describes a rise in overdose deaths in the U.S. due to prescription opioids, heroin, and illegally manufactured synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The epidemic stems from misleading information from pharmaceutical companies concerning the dangers of opioids such as oxycontin, overprescribing of opioids from physicians, and an influx of easily accessible heroin and highly potent synthetic opioids. In 2022, there were around 81,806 deaths from opioid overdose in the United States.

In 2023, it was estimated that over 42 million people in the United States had used cocaine at some point in their life. The number of people in the United States who stated they had used cocaine in the past month has fluctuated over the past decade, but over two million people reported they had used cocaine in the past month as of 2023. Cocaine use among teens The percentage of U.S. students in grades 8, 10, and 12 that had used cocaine in their lifetime has gradually decreased since 1999. At that time, around 7.2 percent of students stated they had used cocaine in their lifetime, while in 2021 just 1.4 percent of students said so. Perhaps unsurprisingly, perceived availability of cocaine among 12th graders has also decreased over the past couple decades, with about 17 percent of 12th graders stating cocaine was “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get in 2021, compared to almost 55 percent who reported it was easy to get in 1990. The most common illicit drugs U.S. students in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported having used in their lifetime were marijuana, inhalants, and hallucinogens such as LSD and mushrooms. Deaths from cocaine In 2020, there were 19,447 drug poisoning deaths involving cocaine in the United States. The number of overdose deaths involving cocaine has increased significantly over the past few years as part of the ongoing opioid epidemic. Although, it is possible to die of an overdose just from using cocaine, many overdose deaths in the U.S. that involved cocaine also involved the use of opioids. The rate of overdose deaths involving cocaine is almost three times higher among men than women, but both have seen increases in the rate of overdose death in recent years. Considering race and ethnicity, the rate of overdose deaths involving cocaine is by far highest among black, non-Hispanics and lowest among Asian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanics.

In 2021, it was estimated that around 296 million people worldwide consumed illegal drugs such as cannabis, opioids, and cocaine. Furthermore, around 39.5 million people were thought to be problem drug users or to have a drug use disorder. Although drug use varies from country to country, drug use remains a significant problem in many parts of the world. For example, the United States is currently experiencing an opioid epidemic, with drug overdose deaths reaching record levels over the past few years.

What is the most used illicit drug worldwide? The most used illicit drug worldwide is cannabis, followed by opioids, and amphetamines. High estimates suggest that around 5.4 percent of the global population consumed cannabis in the past year as of 2021. In comparison, around 1.5 percent of people were thought to have consumed opioids in the past year, and less than one percent were estimated to have used amphetamines. Drug use is generally more prevalent among men than women, but this distribution varies by drug. For example, around 73 percent of cocaine users worldwide are men and 27 percent are women, but women account for 45 percent of amphetamine users.

Cannabis uses In 2021, it was estimated that around 219 million people worldwide consumed cannabis at least once in the past year. The highest number of past year cannabis users at that time was found in the Americas. This may be unsurprising since Canada and many U.S. states now allow the sale and use of recreational cannabis. The market for recreational cannabis is substantial in both countries. In the United States, sales of recreational cannabis reached 16.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2021 and are expected to grow to some 37 billion U.S. dollars by the year 2026. In 2020, there were thought to be around 3.43 million adult consumers of cannabis in the United States, with this number expected to increase to just over six million by 2025.

It is estimated that around 5.8 percent of the global population uses illicit drugs. Use of illicit drugs varies by country and region as countries enact their own laws regarding such substances. Access to illicit drugs also differs by country and region and culture plays a role in how acceptable drug use is.

Global drug use

Worldwide, cannabis is by far the most used illicit drug, followed by opioids and amphetamines. It is estimated that around 296 million people worldwide consume illegal drugs and 39.5 million could be considered addicts or problem drug users. Drug addiction and abuse can negatively impact relationships, increases the risk of a number of diseases, and can ultimately lead to death.

Opioid epidemic in the U.S.

The United States has a long and complicated history with illegal drugs, once going so far as to fight a “War on Drugs”. Today, the U.S. is experiencing what has been called an opioid epidemic. This has been characterized by an increase in overdose deaths from prescription opioids, heroin and, more recently, illegally manufactured synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. In 2021, there were 80,411 opioid overdose deaths in the United States.

In 2023, it was estimated that around 507 thousand people in the United States used crack in the past month. Crack cocaine is the solid form of cocaine, and it is typically smoked to give an instant but short euphoric high. Crack is highly addictive and a rise in its use in the 1980s and early 1990s was associated with an increase in crime and violence in parts of the United States as well as stricter drug policies and an increase in incarceration rates. How many people have used crack? It is estimated that as of 2023, around 9.9 million people in the United States had used crack in their lifetime. However, the use of cocaine, the powder form of crack that is usually snorted but can also be injected, is much more common than crack. It is estimated that over 42 million people have used cocaine in their lifetime, making it the second most-used illicit drug in the United States. Marijuana is by far the most used illicit drug in the United States. Opioids: The newest drug epidemic Although the United States experienced a crack epidemic in the 1980s and early 1990s, crack is no longer the most feared drug in the country. Opioids now account for the vast majority of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. with the country currently experiencing what has been called an opioid epidemic. In 2021, there were just over 80,400 deaths due to opioid overdose in the United States, the highest number ever recorded. Although the origins of the opioid epidemic lie in misrepresentation and over prescription of opioids by pharmaceutical companies and physicians, illegally manufactured fentanyl, an extremely potent synthetic opioid, now accounts for most opioid overdose deaths.

As per the 2023 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 48.5 million Americans (aged 12 and above) were affected by substance use disorder in the past year, accounting for 16.7% of the population. Genetics, including the influence of environmental factors on gene expression, contribute to around 40%-60% of an individual’s risk of drug addiction. With a substantial proportion of the population impacted by substance use disorders, the demand for effective medications for combating addiction is increasing.

This series measures the prevalence and correlates of drug use in the United States. The surveys are designed to provide quarterly, as well as annual, estimates. Information is provided on the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco among members of United States households aged 12 and older. Questions include age at first use as well as lifetime, annual, and past-month usage for the following drug classes: marijuana, cocaine (and crack), hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, alcohol, tobacco, and nonmedical use of prescription drugs, including psychotherapeutics. Respondents were also asked about substance abuse treatment history, illegal activities, problems resulting from the use of drugs, personal and family income sources and amounts, need for treatment for drug or alcohol use, criminal record, and needle-sharing. Questions on mental health and access to care, which were introduced in the 1994-B questionnaire (see NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ON DRUG ABUSE, 1994 [ICPSR 6949]), were retained in this administration of the survey. In 1996, the section on risk/availability of drugs was reintroduced, and sections on driving behavior and personal behavior were added (see NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ON DRUG ABUSE, 1996 [ICPSR 2391]). The 1997 questionnaire continued the risk/availability section along with new items about the use of cigars, people present when respondents used marijuana or cocaine for the first time (if applicable), reasons for using these two drugs the first time, reasons for using these two drugs in the past year, reasons for discontinuing use of these two drugs (for lifetime but not past-year users), and reasons respondents never used these two drugs. In addition, a new series of questions asked only of respondents aged 12 to 17 was introduced. These items covered a variety of topics that may be associated with substance use and related behaviors, such as exposure to substance abuse prevention and education programs, gang involvement, relationship with parents, and substance use by friends. Demographic data include gender, race, age, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, job status, income level, veteran status, and current household composition.

Over 210 million people worldwide suffer from social media addiction.

In this post, I'll give you all the social media addiction statistics you need to be aware of to moderate your social media use.

90% of people aged 18-29 use social media in some form. 15% of people aged 23-38 admit that they are addicted to social media.

In 2021/2022, the states with the highest share of people who had used cocaine in the past year were Colorado, Vermont, the District of Columbia, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In Colorado, around 3.06 percent of the population were estimated to have used cocaine in the past year at that time, compared to the U.S. average of 1.95 percent. The states with the lowest past-year cocaine consumption rates were New Hampshire and Wyoming. Cocaine use in the United States As of 2022, cocaine was the second most used illicit drug in the United States, behind marijuana. At that time around 42.2 million people in the U.S. had used cocaine at least once in their lifetime. In comparison, around 29.5 million people reported using LSD in their lifetime and 22.1 million had used ecstasy. In 2022, almost 5.2 million people were estimated to have used cocaine in the past year. How many people in the U.S. die from cocaine every year? The number of drug poisoning deaths involving cocaine has increased significantly over the past couple decades. In 2021, there were around 24,486 overdose deaths involving cocaine, compared to just 3,800 in the year 1999. However, it is important to note that many overdose deaths involving cocaine also involve other drugs, namely opioids. The increase in overdose deaths involving cocaine is directly related to the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States. Rates of overdose death involving cocaine are twice as high for men than women, but death rates for both men and women have increased in recent years.

The largest amount of federal drug control spending was reported for FY 2023 with some 44.2 billion U.S. dollars. The requested funding 2025 is slightly higher. This statistic depicts the total federal drug control spending in the United States from FY 2012 to FY 2025, in million U.S. dollars.

U.S. drug control spending

In the United States, around half of the requested budget for federal drug control spending in 2025 was requested for treatment of substance use disorders; the remaining budget was distributed amongst various governmental departments for prevention, interdiction, and law enforcement. In particular, the largest amount of drug control treatment funding in 2024 within the Department of Health and Human Services was spent by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, followed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Drug control and the opioid epidemic

The misuse of prescription drugs and the opioid epidemic are a major focus of U.S. drug control strategies and spending. In the U.S., the top controlled prescription drugs distributed are hydrocodone and oxycodone, both potentially addictive opioid analgesics that can be misused and sold illegally. In 2010-2019, efforts to reduce illegal sales of opioid narcotics in the U.S. have managed to reduce the amount of opioids diverted from the legal market by over half. Unfortunately, misusing opioids and synthetic variants such as heroin can be life-threatening; death rates due to opioid overdoses are continuing to rise.

According to the latest estimates there were around 22 million cocaine users worldwide with the highest number found in the Americas. Cocaine is made from the leaves of the coca plant and is an addictive stimulant that is usually snorted as a powder. Although it is illegal in most countries it is still commonly used recreationally.

Cocaine worldwide

It is estimated that up to .5 percent of the global population has used cocaine in the past year. With so many users it is unsurprising that the illegal cocaine market is extremely lucrative. Worldwide illicit cultivation of cocaine covers some 234 thousand hectares, with most of the world’s cocaine produced in South America.

Cocaine in the United States

According to the most recent figures around 4.77 million people in the United States had used cocaine in the previous year. Moreover, around 40.9 million Americans have used cocaine at some point in their lifetime. In 2021, there were around 24,486 deaths involving cocaine in the United States, a significant rise from previous years. However, it is important to note that a large portion of deaths from cocaine involve the use of other drugs, specifically opioids.

West Virginia is currently the state with the highest drug overdose death rate in the United States, with 91 deaths per 100,000 population in 2022. Although West Virginia had the highest drug overdose death rate at that time, California was the state where the most people died from drug overdose. In 2022, around 10,952 people in California died from a drug overdose. The main perpetrator Opioids account for the majority of all drug overdose deaths in the United States. Opioids include illegal drugs such as heroin, legal prescription drugs like oxycodone, and illicitly manufactured synthetic drugs like fentanyl. The abuse of opioids has increased in recent years, leading to an increased number of drug overdose deaths. The death rate from heroin overdose hit an all-time high of 4.9 per 100,000 population in 2016 and 2017, but has decreased in recent years. Now, illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids such as fentanyl account for the majority of opioid overdose deaths in the United States. Opioid epidemic The sharp rise in overdose deaths from opioids have led many to declare the United States is currently experiencing an opioid epidemic or opioid crisis. The causes of this epidemic are complicated but involve a combination of a rise in dispensed prescriptions, irresponsible marketing from pharmaceutical companies, a lack of physician-patient communication, increased social acceptance of prescription drugs, and an increased supply of cheap and potent heroin on the streets.

In the past few years the number of deaths from cocaine overdose has risen in the United States, with almost 27,569 such deaths in 2022. Deaths involving cocaine are more common among males than females, with deaths among males more than double that of females in 2022. It is important to note that many overdose deaths involving cocaine also involve the use of other drugs, in particular opioids, which may contribute to death. Cocaine use Cocaine is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs in the United States. As of 2022, over 42 million people had used cocaine in their lifetime, an increase from 36.7 million in 2009. Furthermore, almost 5.3 million people in the U.S. used cocaine in the past year as of 2022. Cocaine use among teens The lifetime prevalence of cocaine use among high school students in the U.S. has decreased in recent years. As of 2022, around 1.1 percent of high school students stated they had used cocaine in their lifetime. Nevertheless, around 17.7 percent of high school students state that cocaine is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to obtain.

In 2022, around 73,838 people in the United States died from a drug overdose that involved fentanyl. This was the highest number of fentanyl overdose deaths ever recorded in the United States, and a significant increase from the number of deaths reported in 2019. Fentanyl overdoses are now the driving force behind the opioid epidemic, accounting for the majority of overdose deaths in the United States. What is fentanyl? Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid similar to morphine, but more powerful. It is a prescription drug but is also manufactured illegally and is sometimes mixed with other illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine, often without the user’s knowledge. The potency of fentanyl makes it very addictive and puts users at a high risk for overdose. Illegally manufactured fentanyl has become more prevalent in the United States in recent years, leading to a huge increase in drug overdose deaths. In 2022, the rate of drug overdose death involving fentanyl was 22.7 per 100,000 population, compared to a rate of just one per 100,000 population in the year 2013. Fentanyl overdoses by gender and race/ethnicity As of 2022, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl in the United States is over two times higher among men than women. Rates of overdose death involving fentanyl were low for both men and women until around the year 2014 when they began to quickly increase, especially for men. In 2022, there were around 19,880 drug overdose deaths among women that involved fentanyl compared to 53,958 such deaths among men. At that time, the rate of fentanyl overdose deaths was highest among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Natives and lowest among non-Hispanic Asians. However, from the years 2014 to 2018, non-Hispanic whites had the highest fentanyl overdose death rates.

This statistic displays the proportion of school children who had taken drugs in the last month in England, from surveys conducted between 2001 and 2023. In the year 2023, five percent of both boys and girls aged 11 to 15 years had taken drugs in the month before being surveyed.

Current marijuana use among U.S. adults in 2022 was highest in Vermont, where around 34.37 percent of adults reported using marijuana within the past year. In recent years, a number of U.S. states, including Colorado and California, have legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational use. In 2022, around 132 million people in the United States reported that they had used marijuana at least once in their lifetime.

Consumer behavior Starting around 2013, the majority of U.S. adults now say they are in favor of legalizing marijuana in the United States. The share of adults who were in favor of legalization has continued to increase over the years. As of 2021, about 68 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 and older were in favor of legalization. Legal sales of marijuana reached 16.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, and are expected to increase to around 37 billion dollars by the year 2026.

COVID-19 impact on marijuana use The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns led to fears of an increase in substance abuse in many parts of the world. In March 2020, around 40 percent of millennials who used cannabis in the past year reported that they planned to increase their marijuana use during the COVID-19 pandemic. This rise in usage was reflected in sales early in the pandemic. In California for example, sales of marijuana on March 16, 2020 increased 159 percent compared to the same day in 2019.

As of fall 2023, almost 12 percent of U.S. college students who had ever used cannabis had used it daily or almost daily in the past 3 months. This statistic presents the percentage of college students in the U.S. that had used marijuana during the past 3 months as of fall 2023, by frequency. Substance use among college students In 2023, alcohol was the most widely used substance amongst U.S. college students, followed by cannabis and tobacco products. At that time, around 64 percent of college students reported they had drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime. Furthermore, nearly one-fourth of students reported using marijuana within the past thirty days. Unfortunately, substance use is often a maladaptive coping strategy used to deal with academic and social pressures, difficult emotions, and stress. Substance use and mental health Using substances can exacerbate existing mental health difficulties, as substance use and mental disorders often go-hand in hand. This is an issue of utmost importance due to the higher risk of suicide and self-harm behaviors among the college-aged population in the United States. Although over one quarter of college students receiving mental health services also felt the need to reduce their drug and alcohol use in 2023, only 1.8 percent reported actually receiving treatment for drug or alcohol use alongside their mental health treatment.

This statistic shows the estimated number of amphetamine users worldwide from 2010 to 2020, by region. In Europe, an estimated 2.9 million people consumed amphetamines at least once during 2020. Worldwide this number was estimated at 34.07 million.