The percentage of substance abuse treatment admissions for drug-only problems has risen since 1992 while the percentage for alcohol-only and the co-abuse of alcohol and drugs has declined, according to the most recent data from the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS).
The percentage of drug-only treatment admissions increased from 20% in 1992 to 38% in 2009 (the most current year for which data are available). Alcohol-only treatment admissions, which had surpassed drug-only admissions prior to 1999, decreased from 37% to 23% over the same period. The percentage of treatment admissions for the co-abuse of alcohol and other drugs also decreased, from a high of 44% in 1997 to 37% in 2009.
While these findings may reflect actual changes in substance abuse and dependence, they may also be the result of other factors, such as changes in insurance policies or access to treatment.
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