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Substance abuse/use rates

The American Psychiatric Association (APA, 1994) reported that, at least around 1985 (the latest period for which there are accurate estimates of nation-wide abuse/dependence figures), an average of about 20% of all users of all drugs (cocaine was excluded due to methodological concerns) could be classified as abusers/dependers. That means that, on average, 80% of all drug users develop no discernable "problems" associated with such use. You will find abuse/dependence data (as well as usage data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA]) detailed below:

*"Abuse" includes "Dependence" (see Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, APA, 1994, for abuse and dependence criteria).