Using data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and the 2008 and 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the following chart provides an overview of the most commonly misused substances in the United States, including how prescription medications are abused. The chart can be used to raise awareness about the prevalence of these substances and the need for substance use and mental disorder treatment and recovery support services.
Substance |
Other Names5,6 |
Immediate Intoxication Effects7 |
Negative Health Effects8 |
Average Age of First Use in 2009 (vs. in 2008) and Current Rate Among Youth9,10,11 |
Number of People Who Used it in the Past Month in 2009 vs. in 200812,13 |
Alcohol, Inhalants, and Tobacco |
Alcohol |
Booze |
Depressant: Impaired coordination, memory and judgment; slurred speech; decreased attention and memory |
Seizures, chronic sleep problems, respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, damage to vital organs, high blood pressure, negative pregnancy outcomes (including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) |
16.9 years in 2009 (17 years in 2008); (rate of current alcohol use is 3.5% among youth aged 12 or 13, and 13% among youth aged 14 or 15) |
130.6 million people in 2009 (similar to 129 million people in 2008) |
Tobacco products |
Chew, dip, smoke, cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, snuff, spit tobacco |
Stimulant: Increased adrenaline, metabolism, and concentration |
Increased blood pressure and heart rate, lung disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer |
17.5 years in 2009 (17.4 years in 2008); (rate of current tobacco use is 11.6% among youth aged 12 to 17) |
69.7 million people in 2009 (similar to 70.9 million people in 2008) |
Gases, nitrites, aerosols (inhalants) |
Ether, chloroform, nitrous oxide, isobutyl, isoamyl (poppers, snappers, whippets, laughing gas) |
Stimulant: Loss of inhibition, loss of motor coordination, slurred speech, and muscle weakness |
Rapid or irregular heartbeat, cardiovascular and nervous system damage |
16.9 years in 2009 (15.9 years in 2008)* |
0.6 million people in 2009 (similar to 0.64 million people in 2008) |
Illicit Drugs |
Cocaine (including crack cocaine) |
Coke, snow, flake, blow, bump, toot, C, white lady, crack, rock |
Stimulant: Increased alertness, attention, and energy |
Rapid or irregular heartbeat, stroke, muscle spasm, chest pain, nausea |
20 years in 2009 (19.8 years in 2008); (rate of current cocaine use is 0.3% among youth aged 12 to 17) |
1.6 million people in 2009 (similar to 1.9 million people in 2008) |
Ecstasy |
Adam, E, X, eve, XTC, decadence, M&M |
Stimulant: Increased energy, feelings of peacefulness and acceptance |
Involuntary teeth clenching, loss of inhibition, increased heart rate, anxiety, blurred vision |
20.2 years in 2009 (20.3 years in 2008)* |
760,000 people in 2009 (increased from 550,000 people in 2008) |
Heroin |
Big H, dope, smack, white horse |
Feeling of euphoria, flushing of skin, dry mouth, and heaviness of the extremities |
Collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, liver disease, kidney disease, pulmonary complications |
25.5 years in 2009 (23.4 years in 2008)* |
0.2 million people in 2009 (same as in 2008) |
Hallucinogens |
LSD, peyote, acid, mellow yellow, boomers, shrooms |
Delusions, changes in senses, mood, and body temperature |
Elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, persistent mental health problems |
18.4 years in 2009 (18.4 years in 2008); (rate of current hallucinogen use is 0.9% among youth aged 12) |
1.3 million people in 2009 (similar to 1.1 million people in 2008) |
Marijuana |
Pot, weed, hash, grass, reefer, Mary Jane, ganja |
Distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, and loss of memory |
Increased heart rate, respiratory infection, impaired memory, anxiety |
17 years in 2009 (17.8 years in 2008); (rate of current marijuana use is 7.3% among youth aged 12 to 17) |
16.7 million people in 2009 (increased from 15.2 million people in 2008) |
Methamphetamine |
Speed, meth, chalk, ice, crank |
Stimulant: Agitation, anxiety, insomnia, and decreased appetite |
Rapid or irregular heartbeat, stroke, high blood pressure, delusions, anxiety, hallucination |
19.3 years in 2009 (19.2 years in 2008)* |
502,000 people in 2009 (increased from 314,000 people in 2008) |
Prescription Drugs |
Pain relievers (Opioids: Hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, codeine, fentanyl) |
Vike (Vicodin®), Oxy, O.C. (Oxycontin®), M (roxanol), Schoolboy (empirin with codeine),
China white, dance fever (Actiq®) |
Pain relief, feeling of euphoria, and drowziness |
Restlessness, muscle and bone pain, drowsiness, seizure, respiratory depression, decreased heart rate |
20.8 years in 2009 (21.2 years in 2008); (rate of current nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers is 2.7% among youth aged 12 to 17) |
5.3 million people in 2009 (increased from 4.7 million people in 2008) |
Psychotherapeutics |
Prozac®, Zoloft®, Ritalin® |
Increased attention and alertness, and dizziness |
Blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, skin rashes, persistent muscle spasms, tremors |
21 years in 2009 (22 years in 2008)* |
7 million people in 2009 (increased from 6.2 million people in 2008) |
Sedatives |
Haldol®, Thorazine®, Navane®, Prolixin®, Mellaril®, Trilafon® |
Depressant: Reduced anxiety, induced sleep, and lowered inhibitions |
Seizures, chronic sleep problems, respiratory depression, respiratory arrest |
19.7 years in 2009 (15.9 years in 2008)* |
370,000 people in 2009 (increased from 234,000 people in 2008) |
Tranquilizers |
Benzos (Mebaral®, Ativan®, Xanax®, Valium®, Nembutal®, Librium®) |
Depressant: Reduced anxiety, induced sleep, and lowered inhibitions |
Seizures, chronic sleep problems, respiratory depression, respiratory arrest |
22.4 years in 2009 (24.4 years in 2008)* |
2 million people in 2009 (similar to 1.8 million people in 2008) |
Stimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines)14 |
Adderall®, Ritalin®, Concerta® |
Increased calming, "focusing" effect |
Increased blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature; decreased sleep and appetite; stroke |
21.5 years in 2009 (21.3 years in 2008)* |
1.3 million people in 2009 (increased from 904,000 people in 2008) |
*Data for current rate among youth not available.
1Results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Volume I. Summary of National Findings, HHS Publication No. SMA 10-4586. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, September 2010, p. 80.
2Results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Findings, HHS Publication No. SMA 10-4609. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, December 2010, p. 18.
3Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Self-Help: How to Stop Drinking and Start Recovery. The Help Guide website: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/dual_diagnosis.htm. Accessed August 14, 2010.
4Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Self-Help: How to Stop Drinking and Start Recovery. The Help Guide website: http://helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.htm. Accessed August 14, 2010.
5NIDA: Commonly Abused Drugs Chart. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse,
updated February 2007.
6Drug Guide. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America website: http://www.drugfree.org. Accessed September 22, 2010.
7Ibid.
8Ibid.
9Results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Volume I. Summary of National Findings, September 2010, pp. 30, 42, 54, 57, 58, 59, 60.
10Results from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, HHS Publication No. SMA 09-4434. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies, September 2009, pp. 54, 57, 58, 59, 60.
11New National Study Reveals 12 Year Olds More Likely to Use Inhalants than Cigarettes or Marijuana. SAMHSA Press Release. March 11, 2010.
12Results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Volume I. Summary of National Findings, September 2010, pp. 14, 15,16, 17, 18.
13Results from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, September 2009, pp. 16, 17, 18.
14Stimulant ADHD Medications: Methylphenidate and Amphetamines. The National Institute on Drug Abuse website: http://www.nida.nih.gov/pdf/infofacts/ADHD09.pdf, pp. 1, 2.
Accessed November 15, 2010.