Statistics
School age children
- The results from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), indicate that In 2012, there were 584,000 persons aged 12 or older who had used inhalants for the first time within the past 12 months, which was lower than the numbers in 2002 to 2011 (ranging from 719,000 to 877,000). An estimated 62.5 percent of past year initiates of inhalants in 2012 were younger than age 18 when they first used. The average age at first use among recent initiates aged 12 to 49 was similar in 2011 and 2012 (16.4 and 16.9 years, respectively).
- Another established drug use survey is Monitoring the Future (MTF). The MTF samples 40,000 to 50,000 students every year, in three grades (8, 10 and 12). The 2013 survey indicates that inhalant use for the three grades combined has declined (8.9 %). Inhalant use is most common among younger adolescents and tends to decline as youth grow older. "The use of inhalants at an early age may reflect the fact that many inhalants are cheap, readily available (often in the home), and legal to buy and possess. The decline in use with age likely reflects their coming to be seen as “kids’ drugs,” in addition to the fact that a number of other drugs become available to older adolescents, who are also more able to afford them".•
- A third survey of youth drug use is conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS) surveys high school students throughout the United States. Among students surveyed for the 2011, 11.4% reported using inhalants at least one time during their lifetimes
Adults
The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), estimates that more than 1 million adults use inhalants each year.
- In 2008, reported adult treatment admissions involving inhalants
- 52% were 18-29 years of age
- 32% were 30-44 years of age
- 16% were older than 45 years of age
- In 2008, reported adult treatment admissions involving inhalants
- 72% - Non-Hispanic White
- 11% - Hispanic
- 9% - Native Americans
- 6% - Non-Hispanic Black
- 3% - Other
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