|
Based on a 1999 study conducted by the Department of Social
and Health Services, Research and Data Analysis, 407,057 adults
living in households in Washington State were estimated to be
currently in need of substance abuse treatment in 1998,
representing 10.0% of the total adult population. (The
definition of need is provided on the following page.) It
was also estimated that 585,586 adults living in households had
experienced an alcohol or drug use problem at some time in their
life.
The largest number of adults in need of treatment experienced
an alcohol-related disorder. Among adults, 6.8% (276,722)
experienced an alcohol use disorder in the past 18 months, while
1.6% (66,818) experienced a drug use disorder during the same
period.
Adult use rates for individual substances were as follows:
| Adult
Use Rates |
Lifetime
Use |
Past
12-Month Use |
Past
30-Day Use |
| Alcohol |
92.3% |
71.6%* |
55.6% |
| Any
Drug |
40.2% |
9.8% |
4.9% |
| Marijuana |
38.6% |
9.0% |
4.7% |
| Stimulants** |
16.3% |
1.9% |
0.8% |
| Cocaine |
12.5% |
1.6% |
0.5% |
* past 18-month use measure utilized for
alcohol only
** Includes amphetamine, methamphetamines, and other stimulants.
Top
Current Need for Treatment Among Population Subgroups in
Washington State
Current estimated need for treatment in 1998 varied across
subgroups.
Compared with the overall rate of 10.0% for the total adult
population living in households in need of treatment, some
subgroups had lower estimated rates of treatment need.
These included: those ages 45-64 (4.9%) and 65+ (2.0%);
females (6.4%); Blacks (7.5%), Asian-Pacific Islanders (2.1%),
and Hispanics (7.5%); those who are married (6.2%); and
non-high school graduates (9.3%).
Other subgroups had higher estimated treatment needs.
These included: those ages 18-24 (24.8%) and 25-44 (12.5%);
males (13.8%); Native Americans (American Indians or Alaskan
Natives) (17.5%); and those never married (22.0).
Need for substance abuse treatment is not highly correlated
with income. Among all adult household residents in 1998,
10.0% had a current need for treatment, compared with 11.2% of
adults in households with incomes at or below 200% of the
federal poverty line.
Top
*Those defined as currently in need of treatment met one of
the following four conditions:
1. Individuals who had a substance use disorder in the past
18 months.
2. Individuals who did not meet the first condition but who
reported that they have "had a problem or felt addicted
to alcohol or drugs" AND reported drinking
or using "regularly" during the past 18 months.
"Regular" use means drinking three or more drinks
per drinking day at least one or two times a week, OR
using marijuana 50 times or more, OR using any
other illicit drug 10 times or more.
3. Individuals who did not meet the first two conditions
but received licensed residential or outpatient treatment
services (excluding detoxification or assessment) during the
past 12 months.
4. Individuals who did not meet the first three conditions
but used drugs or alcohol "heavily" during the past
18 months. "Heavy" use means drinking an
average of four drinks per drinking day at least three to four
times per week OR using any illicit drug 50
times during the past 18 months.
|
