Ludwig Kraus & Gerhard Bühringer (updated 5 August 2009)

Population-based data on the most important indicators for the use of psychoactive substances (alcohol, tobacco, psychoactive medication and illegal drugs):

- problematic consumption patterns
- substance-related risks and disorders
- substance-related mortality and consequential costs
- characteristics of individuals in treatment.  

For each section figures as well as corresponding data sources, definitions, background information and additional literature may be accessed.

The estimates are primarily based on data from the Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse among Adults in Germany. The study is conducted as a repeated cross-sectional survey amongst the adult population in Germany since 1980. Since 1990, the IFT in Munich is responsible for the survey (see Kraus & Augustin, 2005). Data on the treatment of substance- related disorders is based on the German statistical report on treatment facilities for substance use disorders (see Sonntag, Hellwich & Bauer, 2007; Sonntag, Bauer & Hellwich, 2007). In additional estimates for substance-related mortality and costs have been taken from the literature. The references are mentioned in the corresponding sections.

The Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse among Adults in Germany as well as the German statistics of treatment facilities for substance use disorders are funded by the Federal Ministry of Health. The authors are not subject to any instructions or restrictions in regard to their scientific work.

Kraus, L. (Eds.) (2008). Epidemiologischer Suchtsurvey 2006. Repräsentativerhebung zum Gebrauch und Missbrauch psychoaktiver Substanzen bei Erwachsenen in Deutschland [Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse among Adults in Germany]. Sucht, 54 (Sonderheft 1), S1-S63.

Kraus, L. & Augustin, R. (Eds.) (2005). Repräsentativerhebung zum Gebrauch und Missbrauch psychoaktiver Substanzen bei Erwachsenen in Deutschland. Epidemiologischer Suchtsurvey 2003 [2003 Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse among adults in Germany]. Sucht, 51 (Sonderheft 1), S4-S57.

Sonntag, D., Bauer, C. & Hellwich, A. (2007). Deutsche Suchthilfestatistik 2006 für ambulante Einrichtungen [German statistical report for 2006 on outpatient treatment facilities for substance-use disorders]. Sucht, 53 (Sonderheft 1), 7-40.

Sonntag, D., Hellwich, A. & Bauer, C. (2007). Deutsche Suchthilfestatistik 2006 für stationäre Einrichtungen [German statistical report for 2006 on inpatient treatment facilities for substance-use disorders]. Sucht, 53 (Sonderheft 1), 42-63.

Psychoactive substances: Monitoring topics Consumption: patterns          Consumption: trends Alcohol  Tobacco Illicit drugs Disorders, treatments Mortality and costs