National Recovery Month

Join the voices for recovery. It's Worth It.


Join Recovery Month on Facebook link to Recovery Month on Twitter link to Recovery Month on YouTube Share this print

SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-4357
Toolkit  >  Targeted Outreach  >  Commonly Misused Substances

2012 Toolkit



Each year, individuals, families, and communities are impacted by mental and/or substance use disorders. The aim of National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is to raise awareness about the many resources available to help prevent these conditions and encourage treatment and recovery. Recovery Month is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Learning about some of the most common mental health problems and the misuse of alcohol and illicit and prescription drugs can help you recognize the signs of behavioral health conditions and provide help to individuals experiencing them. Included in this document are key statistics about common mental health problems and substances that are often misused. Also included are alternate names for each disorder or substance, signs and symptoms of a problem, adverse health effects, prevalence, and average age of onset (or age of first-time use of a substance). Information in the following charts was collected from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, as well as reports and data released by The Partnership at Drugfree.org, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Back to top

The following chart includes information on common mental health problems:

Anxiety Disorders
Mental Health Problem Signs & Symptoms 1, 2, 3 Lifetime Prevalence in the United States Among Adults and Youth (13 to 18 Years Old) 4, 5, 6 Average Age of Onset 7
Agoraphobia Intense fear and anxiety of any place or situation where escape might be difficult; avoidance of being alone outside of the home; fear of traveling in a car, bus, or airplane, or being in a crowded area
  • 2.4 percent of youth;
  • 1.4 percent of adults
 20 years old
Gener­alized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) An over­whelming sense of worry and tension; physical symptoms including fatigue, head­aches, muscle tension, muscle aches, trouble swallowing, trembling, twitching, irrit­ability, sweating, light­headedness, nausea, and hot flashes
  • 1.0 percent of youth;
  • 5.7 percent of adults
 31 years old
Obses­sive Compul­sive Disorder (OCD) Persistent and unwelcome anxious thoughts or “obses­sions,” often accom­panied by rituals that are performed to try to prevent or get rid of them, called “compul­sions”
  • (youth data not available);
  • 1.6 percent of adults
 19 years old
Panic Disorder Feelings of sudden terror that often occur with a pounding heart, sweating, nausea, chest pain, faintness, or dizziness; an avoid­ance of places or situa­tions where panic attacks have occurred
  • 2.3 percent of youth;
  • 4.7 percent of adults
 24 years old
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Relived trauma after experiencing a terrifying event, through nightmares or disturbing thoughts throughout the day; feelings of detachment, numbness, irritability, or aggres­siveness
  • 4.0 percent of youth;
  • 6.8 percent of adults
 23 years old
Social Phobia Intense feelings of anxiety and dread about social situations; a persistent fear of being watched and judged by others and being humiliated or embarrassed by the person’s own actions; physical symptoms such as blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea, and diffi­culty talking
  • 5.5 percent of youth;
  • 12.1 percent of adults
 13 years old
Specific Phobia Marked and persistent fear and avoidance of a specific object or situation, such as a fear of heights, spiders, or flying
  • 15.1 percent of youth;
  • 12.5 percent of adults
 7 years old
Mood Disorders
Mental Health Problem Signs & Symptoms 1, 2, 3 Lifetime Prevalence in the United States Among Adults and Youth (13 to 18 Years Old) 4, 5, 6 Average Age of Onset 7
Bipolar Disorder Recurrent episodes of highs (mania) and lows (depression) in mood; changes in energy and behavior; extreme irritable or elevated mood; an inflated sense of self-importance; risky behaviors, distractibility, increased energy, and a decreased need for sleep
  • 3.0 percent of youth;
  • 3.9 percent of adults
 25 years old
Major Depressive Disorder A pervading sense of sadness and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities that interferes with the ability to work, study, sleep, and eat; negative impact on a person's thoughts, sense of self-worth, sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration
  • 11.2 percent of youth;
  • 16.5 percent of adults
 32 years old
Other Mental Health Problems
Mental Health Problem Signs & Symptoms 1, 2, 3 Lifetime Prevalence in the United States Among Adults and Youth (13 to 18 Years Old) 4, 5, 6 Average Age of Onset 7
Attention-Deficit/­Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) Inattention or difficulty staying focused; hyperactivity, or constantly being in motion or talking; impulsivity, meaning often not thinking before acting
  • 9.0 percent of youth;
  • 8.1 percent of adults
 7 years old
Person­ality Disorder Difficulties dealing with other people and partici­pating in social activities; inflex­ibility, rigidity, and inability to respond to change; deeply ingrained, inflexible patterns of relating, perceiving, and thinking that cause distress or impaired functioning
  • (youth data not available);
  • 9.1 percent of adults*
 Not available
Schizo­phrenia Hearing voices or believing that others are trying to control or harm the person; hallu­cinations and dis­organized speech and behavior, causing individuals to feel frightened, anxious, and confused
  • (youth data not available);
  • 1.1 percent of adults*
 Not available

*Indicates 12-month prevalence

Back to top

The following chart includes information on commonly misused substances:

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Inhalants
Substance,
Other Names 8, 9, 10 		Immediate Intoxication Effects 11, 12 Negative Health Effects 13, 14 Avg. Age of First Use in 2010 (vs. in 2009) Among Recent Initiates aged 12 to 49, and Current Rate Among Youth15 Number of People (Aged 12 or older) Who Used it in the Past Month in 2010 (vs. in 2009)16, 17
Alcohol
Booze, beer, wine, liquor
Dizziness; talka­tiveness; slurred speech; disturbed sleep; nausea; vomiting; impaired judgment and coordi­nation; increased aggres­sion Brain and liver damage; depres­sion; liver and heart disease; hyper­tension; fetal damage (in pregnant women) 17.2 years (16.9 years in 2009); rate of current alcohol use among youths aged 12 to 17 is 13.6 percent 131.3 million people (similar to 130.6 million people in 2009)
Tobacco Products
Cigar­ettes, cigars, smoke­less tobacco, snuff, spit tobacco, chew
Increased blood pres­sure and heart rate Chronic lung disease; coronary heart disease; stroke; cancer of the lungs, larynx, eso­phagus, mouth, and bladder; poor preg­nancy outcomes 17.3 years (17.5 years in 2009); rate of current tobacco use among youths aged 12 to 17 is 10.7 percent 69.6 million people (similar to 69.7 million people in 2009)
Gases, Nitrites, and Aerosols (Inhalants)
Ether, chloroform, nitrous oxide, isobutyl, isoamyl, poppers, snappers, whippets, laughing gas
Increased stimul­ation; loss of in­hibition; headache; nausea; vomiting; slurred speech; loss of motor coordin­ation; wheezing; cramps; muscle weakness Memory impair­ment; damage to cardio­vascular and nervous systems; uncon­sciousness 16.3 years (16.9 years in 2009); rate of current inhalant use among youths aged 12 to 17 is 1.1 percent 70,000 people (similar to 60,000 people in 2009)
Illicit Drugs
Substance,
Other Names 8, 9, 10 		Immediate Intoxication Effects 11, 12 Negative Health Effects 13, 14 Avg. Age of First Use in 2010 (vs. in 2009) Among Recent Initiates aged 12 to 49, and Current Rate Among Youth15 Number of People (Aged 12 or older) Who Used it in the Past Month in 2010 (vs. in 2009)16, 17
Cocaine
Blow, bump, C, candy, Charlie, coke, crack, flake, rock, snow, toot, white lady
Increased alertness, attention, and energy; dilated pupils; increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; insomnia; loss of appetite; feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety Weight loss; cardio­vascular compli­cations; stroke; seizures 21.2 years (20.0 years in 2009); rate of current cocaine use among youths aged 12 to 17 is 0.2 percent 131.3 million people (similar to 130.6 million people in 2009)
Ecstasy
Adam, E, eve, decadence, M&M, roll, X, XTC
Enhanced sense of self-confidence and energy; involuntary teeth clenching; a loss of inhibitions; trans­fixion on sights and sounds; nausea; blurred vision; chills; sweating; increased heart rate and blood pressure Muscle cramping/sleep distur­bances; depression; impaired memory; kidney, liver and cardio­vascular failure; anxiety 19.4 years (20.2 years in 2009); rate of current ecstasy use among youths aged 12 to 17 is 0.5 percent 69.6 million people (less than 69.7 million people in 2009)
Heroin
Big H, blacktar, brown sugar, dope, horse, junk, muc, skag, smack, white horse
Feeling of euphoria; flushing of the skin; dry mouth; heavy extremi­ties; slurred speech; constricted pupils; droopy eyelids; vomiting; constipation Collapsed veins; infection of the heart lining, valves; abscesses; cellulitis; liver disease; various types of pneu­monia; clogged blood vessels; respi­ratory compli­cations 21.3 years (25.5 years in 2009) 70,000 people (similar to 60,000 people as in 2009)
Halluci­nogens
Acid, boomers, doses, hits, LSD, microdot, peyote, shrooms, sugar cubes, tabs, trips
Dilated pupils; higher body temper­ature; increased heart rate and blood pressure; sweating; loss of appetite; sleep­less­ness; dry mouth; tremors Flash­backs that may occur within a few days or more than a year after use 19.1 years (18.4 years in 2009); rate of current halluci­nogen use among youths aged 12 to 17 is 0.9 percent 1.2 million people (similar to 1.3 million people in 2009)
Marijuana
Blunt, dope, ganja, grass, herb, joint, bud, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, green, trees, smoke, skunk, weed
Distorted per­ception; trouble with thinking and problem solving; loss of motor coordi­nation; increased heart rate Respi­ratory infection; impaired memory; anxiety; exposure to cancer-causing compounds 18.4 years (17 years in 2009); rate of current mari­juana use among youths aged 12 to 17 is 7.4 percent 17.4 million people (increased from 16.7 million people in 2009)
Metham­phetamine
Chalk, crank, crystal, ice, meth, speed, white cross
State of euphoria; insomnia; decreased appetite; irritability/­aggression; anxiety; nervousness; convulsions Paranoia; halluci­nation; repetitive behavior; delusions of parasites or insects crawling under the skin; psychosis; severe dental problems; heart attack 18.8 years (19.3 years in 2009) 353,000 people (decreased from 502,000 people in 2009)
Prescription Drugs
Substance,
Other Names 8, 9, 10 		Immediate Intoxication Effects 11, 12 Negative Health Effects 13, 14 Avg. Age of First Use in 2010 (vs. in 2009) Among Recent Initiates aged 12 to 49, and Current Rate Among Youth15 Number of People (Aged 12 or older) Who Used it in the Past Month in 2010 (vs. in 2009)16, 17
Pain Relievers
Vike (Vicodin®), oxy, O.C. (Oxy­contin®), M (roxanol), schoolboy (empirin with codeine), China white, dance fever (Actiq®)
Pain relief; euphoria; drowsi­ness, respir­atory depres­sion and arrest; nausea; confusion; consti­pation; sedation; unconsci­ousness; restlessness Muscle and bone pain; drowsi­ness; seizure; coma; respir­atory depres­sion; decreased heart rate 21.0 years (20.8 years in 2009); rate of current non-medical use of pre­scription pain relievers among youths aged 12 to 17 is 3 percent 5.1 million people (similar to 5.3 million people in 2009)
Psycho­therapeutics
Prozac®, Zoloft®, Ritalin®
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and meta­bolism; feelings of exhil­aration and energy; increased mental alert­ness; rapid or irregular heart­beat; reduced appetite Heart failure; weight loss; tremors and muscle twitching; fevers, convul­sions, and head­aches; irregular heart­beat and respi­rations; anxiety; restless­ness; para­noia; halluci­nations; delu­sions of para­sites or insects crawling under the skin 22.3 years (21 years in 2009) 7.0 million people (same as in 2009)
Sedatives
Haldol®, Thorazine®, Navane®, Prolixin®, Mellaril®, Trilafon®
Slurred speech; shallow breathing; slug­gish­ness; fatigue; dis­orient­ation and lack of coordi­nation; dilated pupils; reduced anxiety; lowered inhibi­tions Seizures; impaired memory, judg­ment and coordin­ation; irrit­ability; paranoid and sui­cidal thoughts; sleep problems 23.5 years (19.7 years in 2009) 374,000 people (similar to 370,000 people in 2009)
Tranquil­izers
Benzos (Mebaral®, Ativan®, Xanax®, Vali­um®, Nembu­tal®, Librium®)
Slurred speech; shallow breath­ing; slug­gish­ness; fatigue; dis­orient­ation and lack of coordin­ation; dilated pupils; reduced anxiety; lowered inhibitions Seizures; impaired memory, judg­ment and coordin­ation; irrit­ability; paranoid and sui­cidal thoughts; sleep problems 24.6 years (22.4 years in 2009) 2.2 million people (similar to 2.0 million people in 2009)
Stimulants
Adderall®, Ritalin®, Concerta®
Increased alertness, attention, and energy Increased hostility or para­noia; dang­erously high body temper­atures; irregular hear­tbeat; cardio­vascular failure; lethal seizures 21.2 years (21.5 years in 2009) 1.1 million people (similar to 1.3 million people in 2009)

For more information, read the in-depth version of this guide. Information about treatment options and special services in your area can be found by calling 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD), as well as at http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment.

Back to top

Sources

  1. The National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America. Retrieved September 14, 2011 from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml.
  2. SAMHSA’s Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center). (n.d.). Facts About Common Mental Illnesses. Retrieved September 15, 2011 from http://stopstigma.samhsa.gov/publications/thefacts.aspx#panic.
  3. Mental Health America. Personality Disorders. Retrieved September 15, 2011 from http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/personality-disorders.
  4. Kessler RC, Berglund PA, Demler O, Jin R, Walters EE. Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry. 2005 Jun; 62(6):593-602.
  5. Merikangas KR, He J, Burstein M, Swanson SA, Avenevoli S, Cui L, Benjet C, Georgiades K, Swendsen J. Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in U.S. adolescents: Results from the National Comorbidity Study-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010 Oct; 49(10):980-989.
  6. Regier DA, Narrow WE, Rae DS, Manderscheid RW, Locke BZ, Goodwin FK. The de facto mental and addictive disorders service system. Epidemiologic Catchment Area prospective 1-year prevalence rates of disorders and services. Archives of General Psychiatry. 1993 Feb; 50(2):85–94.
  7. Kessler RC, Berglund PA, Demler O, Jin R, Walters EE. Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry. 2005 Jun; 62(6):593-602.
  8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). NIDA: Commonly Abused Drugs Chart. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved September 15, 2011 from http://www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/drugsofabuse.html.
  9. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America. (n.d.). Drug Guide. Retrieved September 15, 2011 from http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide.
  10. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). NIDA: Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Chart. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved February 3, 2012 from http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs/commonly-abused-prescription-drugs-chart.
  11. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). NIDA: Commonly Abused Drugs Chart. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved September 15, 2011 from http://www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/drugsofabuse.html.
  12. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America. (n.d.). Drug Guide. Retrieved September 15, 2011 from http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide.
  13. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). NIDA: Commonly Abused Drugs Chart. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved September 15, 2011 from http://www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/drugsofabuse.html.
  14. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America. (n.d.). Drug Guide. Retrieved September 15, 2011 from http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide.
  15. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings, NSDUH Series H-41, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 11-4658. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2011.
  16. Ibid.
  17. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2010). Results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Volume I. Summary of National Findings, NSDUH Series H-38A, HHS Publication No. SMA 10-4586. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved March 13, 2012 from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k9/2k9Resultsweb/web/2k9results.pdf.
Back to top



Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for substance use and mental disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

National Recovery Month 2012

About Recovery Month Sitemap Contact Recovery Month



  • Behavioral Health is Essential to Health
  • Prevention Works
  • Treatment is Effective
  • People Recover
Health and Human Services Logo
SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration • 1 Choke Cherry Road • Rockville, MD 20857 • 1-877-SAMHSA-7