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The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is the United States federal survey of substance use and mental health among the civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 and older. It gives researchers and public health analysts national benchmarks for monitoring population health trends within public health surveillance.
This guide covers who runs NSDUH, what it covers, how to reach its public data and restricted-use files, where it is strong, where it is limited, and how it compares with other surveys.
What Is NSDUH?
NSDUH is authorized by Section 505 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa-4). It is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was formerly known as the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Since 1988, RTI International has worked with SAMHSA to conduct the survey.
Topics include substance use, mental health, and use of behavioral health services. The survey is also known by its full name, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Who Runs NSDUH and What It Covers
SAMHSA sponsors the survey and RTI International carries out the fieldwork. NSDUH is conducted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with household addresses selected at random. It interviews approximately 70,000 people aged 12 and older each year, according to the NSDUH respondent site (RTI’s project page cites more than 67,000 interviews per annual iteration). Participation is voluntary. Each person who completes the full interview, which takes about an hour, receives $30.
Respondents complete most of the survey on a laptop, and interviewers cannot see the questions or answers. A web version of the questionnaire was launched during the COVID-19 response.
Responses are protected under the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA).
How to Find and Use NSDUH Data
SAMHSA’s NSDUH page organizes data access into a few areas:
- Download public-use files. The Download Data Files section provides public-use files (PUFs), codebooks, and variable crosswalk charts.
- Analyze data online. SAMHSA lists the Data Analysis System (DAS) among its interactive data tools for in-depth online analysis.
- Use small area estimates. The NSDUH Small Area Estimates are also listed under the interactive data tools.
- Apply for restricted-use files. The Research Data Center (RDC) lets researchers apply to use restricted-use files for more detailed demographic and geographic NSDUH data. Research use of restricted data usually involves a formal agreement; see our guide to the data use agreement and a data use agreement template.
- Report the study properly. Observational analyses of survey data can be reported with the STROBE checklist, and federally funded work may be subject to PHS policy.
Strengths and Limits
Strengths
- Large national sample: approximately 70,000 interviews a year.
- Privacy design: most of the interview is completed on a laptop that the interviewer cannot see into.
- Legal confidentiality protection: responses fall under CIPSEA.
- Open data tools: public-use files, codebooks and online analysis are provided by SAMHSA.
Limits
- Defined population: estimates describe the civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older, so they do not describe people outside that definition.
- Mode change: the introduction of a web questionnaire during the COVID-19 response means analysts should read SAMHSA’s documentation before comparing years across that change.
- Detailed geography: more detailed demographic and geographic data are in restricted-use files that require an application.
Alternatives
Researchers often use NSDUH alongside other US health surveys. Check each program’s official page for population and methods.
| Survey | Managing agency |
|---|---|
| NSDUH | SAMHSA, with RTI International |
| BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) | CDC, with states |
| NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) | CDC / NCHS |
| YRBS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey) | CDC |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NSDUH stand for?
NSDUH stands for the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. It was formerly known as the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
Who conducts NSDUH?
SAMHSA sponsors it, and RTI International has worked with SAMHSA to conduct it since 1988.
How many people does NSDUH interview?
The NSDUH respondent site says approximately 70,000 people aged 12 and older are interviewed each year. RTI describes more than 67,000 interviews per annual iteration.
Is the NSDUH data available to download?
SAMHSA’s NSDUH page provides public-use files, codebooks, and variable crosswalk charts under Download Data Files. Restricted-use files with more detailed demographic and geographic data require an application through the Research Data Center.
Is my NSDUH interview confidential?
Responses are protected under CIPSEA, and participation is voluntary.
Sources
All pages checked 2026-11-07.
- RTI International. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). https://www.rti.org/impact/national-survey-drug-use-and-health
- SAMHSA and RTI International. About NSDUH (respondent site). https://nsduhweb.rti.org/respweb/about_nsduh.html
- SAMHSA. NSDUH: National Survey on Drug Use and Health. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/data-we-collect/nsduh-national-survey-drug-use-and-health
