Males are more likely to use, abuse, and be dependent on alcohol or illicit drugs than females. The 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) asked questions of people 12 or older to assess their use of alcohol and illicit drugs, as well as their symptoms of substance dependence or abuse during the past year. Here are the findings in brief:

  • In 2003, males aged 12 or older were twice as likely as females to be dependent on or abuse alcohol or illicit drugs in the past year.

  • Males had higher rates than females of dependence on or abuse of alcohol or an illicit drug for all age groups, with the exception of 12 to 17 year olds.

  • Males and females aged 18 to 49 who were married had lower rates of dependence on or abuse of alcohol or an illicit drug than males or females of other marital statuses.

Read the full report.