According to SAMHSA’s TEDS report for the year 2009, among adults that were admitted for substance abuse treatment for the first time the average age for the individual treated was 34 years of age. The average age for the individuals onset of use of the primary substance treated for was 18.4 years of age. The total length of time for alcohol use or abuse increased to 20.2 years. The length of time for stimulant use, cocaine, heroin and marijuana decreases to 12 to 14 years. Prescription drug abuse leading to dependence had the shortest duration of use with an average of 7.8 years.
The individual’s demographics play a significant role in substance abuse treatment. For example, white non-Hispanic adults for alcohol 20.7 years elapse prior to first treatment episode verse black, non-Hispanic with an average of 22.0 years prior to first treatment episode while Hispanics lasted only 17.7 years.
