Transcript Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

Gender Differences in Drug
Treatment Data in the U.S.
M. Fe Caces, Ph.D.
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Executive Office of the President
September 2004
Females account for two out of five current users
of illicit drugs in the U.S.
Females
41%
Males
59%
Total Current Users: 19.5 million
Source: SAMHSA, 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (September 2004).
9/2004
Males consistently have higher rates of
illicit drug use.
Percent Using Any Illicit Drug in the Past Month
24.0
25
Male
Female
20
16.5
15
11.4
11.1
10
7.2
4.3
5
0
12-17
18-25
26 or older
Source: SAMHSA, 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (September 2004).
9/2004
Among youth, there is variation in the gender
pattern of illicit drug use by race/ethnicity.
Percent Using Any Illicit Drug in the Past Month
15
12.0
Male
Female
11.6
10.7
9.7
10
11.3
9.4
5
0
White
NonHispanic
Black
NonHispanic
Hispanic
Source: SAMHSA, 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (September 2004).
9/2004
Among youth, females exceed males in rates of nonmedical use of
any prescription-type psychotherapeutic drug.
Percent Using Any Illicit Drug in the Past Month
10
Male
Female
5
4.1
4.4
4.3
4.0
3.1
2.6
0
White
NonHispanic
Black
NonHispanic
Hispanic
Source: SAMHSA, 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (September 2004).
9/2004
Methamphetamine Use of Males and Females in
the Arrested Population, Selected Cities, 2003
Percentage testing positive for methamphetamine
Honolulu
57.4
40.3
San Diego
36.2
Salt Lake City
47.1
45.6
25.6
San Jose
36.9
45.3
41.6
38.3
Phoenix
Portland, OR
Tucson
25.4
23.9
16
23.3
Des Moines
Tulsa
17.4
18.5
Los Angeles
Oklahoma City
12.3
13.5
Omaha
29.7
Female
Male
27.9
22.9
28.7
17.2
21.4
8.8
10.1
Albuquerque
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Source: SAMHSA, 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (September 2004).
7/2004
Rates of drug dependence or abuse also are
lower for females compared to males.
Percent with drug dependence or abuse in the past year
10
Male
Female
5.6
5.1
5
3.7
2.1
0
2002
2003
Source: SAMHSA, 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (September 2004).
9/2004
DSM-IV checklist for substance abuse
Substance Abuse
A definite diagnosis of abuse is made when any one of A and both B and C are “Yes.”
A. Has the client experienced the following?
1. Recurrent failure to meet important responsibilities
due to use?
2. Recurrent use in situations when this is likely to
be physically dangerous?
3. Recurrent legal problems arising from use
4. Continued use despite recurrent problems
aggravated by the substance use
B. These symptoms have occurred within a 12-month
period
C. Client had never met the criteria for dependence
8/2002
No
Yes
DSM-IV checklist for substance dependence
Substance Dependence
A definite diagnosis of dependence is made when any three of A and both B are “Yes.”
A. Has the client experienced the following?
No
Yes
1. Tolerance (needing more to become intoxicated or discovering less
effect with the same amount)
2. Withdrawal* (characteristic withdrawal associated with type of drug)
3. Using more or for longer periods than intended
4. Desire to or unsuccessful efforts to cut down
5. Considerable time spent in obtaining the substance or using, or
recovering from its effects
6. Important social, work, or recreational activities given up because of use
7. Continued use despite knowledge of problems caused by or
aggravated by use
B. Have these positive items been present during the same 12 month period?
Are three or more of the above positive?
8/2002
*A clear cut withdrawal syndrome is not present with some classes of drugs: caffeine, marijuana, phencyclidine, or hallucinogens.
Rates of specialty drug treatment are lower for
females.
Percentage who received drug treatment among those who needed treatment
20
16.0
15
13.4
10
5
0
2003
Source: SAMHSA, 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (September 2004).
9/2004
Male
Female
Females account for 38% those with
dependence or abuse of any illicit drug.
Females
38%
Males
62%
Total Drug Dependents/Abusers:
6.8 million
Source: SAMHSA, 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (September 2004).
9/2004