National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2006

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) series
(formerly titled National Household Survey on Drug Abuse) primarily
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 included 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
pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives. The survey
covered substance abuse treatment history and perceived need for
treatment, and included questions from the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders that allow diagnostic criteria to be
applied. The survey included questions concerning treatment for both
substance abuse and mental health related disorders. Respondents were
also asked about personal and family income sources and amounts,
health care access and coverage, illegal activities and arrest record,
problems resulting from the use of drugs, and needle-sharing.
Questions introduced in previous administrations were retained in the
2006 survey, including questions asked only of respondents aged 12 to
17. These "youth experiences" items covered a variety of topics, such
as neighborhood environment, illegal activities, drug use by friends,
social support, extracurricular activities, exposure to substance
abuse prevention and education programs, and perceived adult attitudes
toward drug use and activities such as school work. Several measures
focused on prevention-related themes in this section. Also retained
were questions on mental health and access to care, perceived risk of
using drugs, perceived availability of drugs, driving and personal
behavior, and cigar smoking. Questions on the tobacco brand used most
often were introduced with the 1999 survey. Background information
includes gender, race, age, ethnicity, marital status, educational
level, job status, veteran status, and current household composition.