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Limitations of Survey Data

Ensuring Solutions draws upon two large government-sponsored epidemiological surveys, the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), now known as the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), and the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS), to create an online tool that provides estimates of the prevalence of alcohol-related problems among American adolescents.

These two scientifically rigorous surveys collect information only about what respondents tell the survey administrators. The accuracy of such self-report information depends on respondents' truthfulness and memory.

The surveys only sample civilian, non-institutionalized populations in the United States. People living in institutions (such as youth in juvenile detention or correctional facilities, adolescent drug or mental health treatment centers), those with no permanent residence (homeless or run-away youth) and active military personnel are not represented by these surveys.

Since these surveys were constructed to provide national estimates, it is very difficult to have any confidence that these estimates apply to very small populations or for youth with characteristics very different from the national sample. For example, it would not be a good idea to rely on the Alcohol Cost Calculator for Kids to estimate alcohol-related problems in a small middle school. Ethnicity, gender, rural/urban environment, community risk and resiliency factors can substantially alter the prevalence to teen alcohol problems. More...

Many states and communities have undertaken surveys of youthful alcohol and other drug use. Data from local surveys can refine and supplement estimates from the Alcohol Cost Calculator for Kids.

Suggested Resources

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. State Prevention Profiles and Data.

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. State Information.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System