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NCSL Substance Abuse Snapshot

Matthew Gever, Staff Writer
Allison Colker, Editor

February 29, 2008

Emerging Issues

Brain scans of cocaine users may hold clues as to why some people become addicted while others can use the drug socially, the Associated Press reports. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin performed MRIs of cocaine users as they performed simple computer tasks. The scans showed changes in the part of the brain that controls behavior and decision making, specifically marked by reduced blood flow to that area. The researchers believe that understanding this response can help better predict those at risk of developing an addiction.

Treatment Issues

Alcohol Down, Meth and Prescriptions Up

Alcohol abuse accounted for 40 percent of admissions to treatment in 2006, down from 51 percent in 1996, according to a new study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). At the same time, treatment admissions for methamphetamines tripled, accounting for nine percent of all admissions in 2006, compared to just three percent a decade ago. The majority of these referrals came through the criminal justice system. Also showing a marked increase was the rate of admissions for prescription drug abuse, primarily opiate based painkillers, rising to four percent of admissions from one percent over the past ten years. No reasons were given as to why these changes occurred. The report also gives detailed breakdowns of use and admissions by ethnicity, income and employment and education status. Download the full report here. 

Drug Specific Issues

NSDUH Report on Hallucinogen Use
In its latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health Report, SAMHSA examined the rates of use for specific hallucinogens by adolescents and young adults. In general, the report indicated that most use of hallucinogens has decreased in the past several years. However, first time use of ecstasy among the younger age groups (12-17 and 18-25) showed signs of increasing. The most commonly used hallucinogen was lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), with 9.5 percent of survey respondents reporting use in their lifetimes. Ecstasy was second most common, with adolescent (ages 12-17) females reporting higher use than adolescent males. This was reflective of the general trend where adolescent females use more hallucinogens than males, whereas for young adults males are the more common users.

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