Drug DependenceSymptoms of
Substance Dependence Associated with Use of Cigarettes, Alcohol, and
Illicit Drugs United States, 1991 1992Each year in the United States,
approximately 400,000 deaths result from cigarette smoking, 100,000
from misuse of alcohol, and 20,000 from use of illicit drugs. Many of the
adverse health effects associated with the use of tobacco, alcohol, and
illicit drugs result from long-term use caused by substance dependence
(i.e., addiction) a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological
symptoms indicating sustained psychoactive substance use despite
substance-related problems. In addition, substance dependence is
characterized by repeated self-administration that usually results in
tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive drug-taking behavior. Nicotine is
the psychoactive substance in cigarettes and other forms of tobacco that
accounts for the addictive properties of tobacco. In addition to tobacco,
other potentially addictive substances include alcohol, marijuana, and
cocaine. To assess the prevalence of selected indicators of substance
dependence among the U.S. population, CDC and the National Institute
on Drug Abuse analyzed data from the National Household Survey on
Drug Abuse (NHSDA) for 1991 1992. The findings in this report suggest
that a symptom of substance dependence is more likely to be reported by
persons who smoke cigarettes and persons who use cocaine than by
persons who use alcohol or marijuana. Mike Burgoyne
. Drug DependenceSymptoms of Substance Dependence Associated with Use of Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Illicit Drugs United States, 1991 1992Each year in the. from use of illicit drugs. Many of the adverse health effects associated with the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs result from long-term use caused by substance dependence (i.e., addiction). selected indicators of substance dependence among the U.S. population, CDC and the National Institute on Drug Abuse analyzed data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) for 1991