National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

Summary

Conducted annually, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides nationally representative data on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs; substance use disorders; mental health conditions; suicidal thoughts and behavior; and receipt of substance use and mental health treatment among the civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older in the United States. NSDUH estimates allow researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and the general public to better understand and improve the nation’s behavioral health.

Agency	HHS, SAMHSA
Data Checkup

Historical Data Availability

No Known Issue

Future Data Availability

No Known Issue

Data Quality

High Risk

Questions on gender identity and reference to pronouns (e.g., "they") were removed from the survey.

Statutory Context

No Known Issue

NSDUH is authorized under Section 505 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 290aa), which requires the collection of behavioral health data through annual surveys on the level and patterns of substance use. NSDUH is the nation's primary source of nationally representative data on substance use, substance use disorders, mental health, and treatment among the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population aged 12 and older.

Staffing and Funding

High Risk

From FY2024 to FY2026, SAMHSA lost more than 40% of its staff. The entire SAMHSA team responsible for the NSDUH survey was impacted by the April 2025 Reduction in Force.

Policy

High Risk

In September 2025, the ICR submission reflects the removal of questions related to gender identity and references to pronouns, and revises several questions to refer to "sex" rather than "gender," in response to Executive Order 14168.

Last updated: 2026-07-15

Details

Related ICRs
OMB Control Number	0930-0110
Authorizing Statutes	42 USC 505

Reference Number	Title	Agency	Status	Request Type
202509-0930-012	National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)	HHS/SAMHSA	Active	No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection
202501-0930-001	National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)	HHS/SAMHSA	Active	No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection