Table of Contents

Component Description

The drug use questions (DUQ) focused on lifetime and current use of marijuana or hashish, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, as well as intravenous use of drugs.

Eligible Sample

Sample person aged 12-59 years were eligible. Only data from participants aged 20-59 years are included in this release. Special use data files for participants 12-19 years are available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

The drug use questionnaire was done during the physical examination, at the examination center in a private room, using the Computer Assisted Self Interview (ACASI) system for study participants 12 and older.

The ACASI was conducted in either English or Spanish. The ACASI enables respondents both to hear questions through earphones and read questions on the computer screen. Respondents move at their own speed and touch the screen to indicate their response. No proxy respondents or translators were used in situations when the respondents could not self-report.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

ACASI software included consistency checks, including range checks, valid response checks, and checks for logical relationships. The ACASI system was programmed to alert respondents of potential data entry errors or problems. When a response was entered, that had been programmed as unlikely, respondents were allowed to proceed after confirming that their entry was correct. When a response was entered that had been programmed as an error, respondents were prohibited from continuing with the ACASI until the error was corrected.

Analytic Notes

The drug use questionnaire has been expanded to include more detailed information on street drugs or recreational drugs. Questions have changed from theNHANES Drug Use 2003-2004 Public Data Release. Analysts must pay close attention to question changes.

Please refer to the Analytic Guidelines for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues. The Analytic Guidelines are available on the NHANES website.

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS

DUAISC - Interview status code

Variable Name:
DUAISC
SAS Label:
Interview status code
English Text:
Drug use questionnaire status code
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Complete 2937 2937
2 Partial Exam 2 2939
3 Not Done 346 3285 End of Section
. Missing 0 3285

DUQ200 - Ever used marijuana or hashish

Variable Name:
DUQ200
SAS Label:
Ever used marijuana or hashish
English Text:
The following questions ask about use of drugs not prescribed by a doctor. Please remember that your answers to these questions are strictly confidential. The first questions are about marijuana and hashish. Marijuana is also called pot or grass. Marijuana is usually smoked, either in cigarettes, called joints, or in a pipe. It is sometimes cooked in food. Hashish is a form of marijuana that is also called 'hash.' It is usually smoked in a pipe. Another form of hashish is hash oil. Have you ever, even once, used marijuana or hashish?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1619 1619
2 No 1303 2922 DUQ240
7 Refused 5 2927 DUQ240
9 Don't know 5 2932 DUQ240
. Missing 353 3285

DUQ210 - Age when first tried marijuana

Variable Name:
DUQ210
SAS Label:
Age when first tried marijuana
English Text:
How old were you the first time you used marijuana or hashish?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT VALUES: 0-59 Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 59 years. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." ENTER AGE IN YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 59
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 45 Range of Values 1619 1619
77 Refused 0 1619
99 Don't know 0 1619
. Missing 1666 3285

DUQ220Q - Last time used marijuana or hashish

Variable Name:
DUQ220Q
SAS Label:
Last time used marijuana or hashish
English Text:
How long has it been since you last used marijuana or hashish?
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, OR YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 120 Range of Values 1567 1567
7777 Refused 21 1588
9999 Don't know 31 1619
. Missing 1666 3285

DUQ220U - Last time used marijuana or hashish/unit

Variable Name:
DUQ220U
SAS Label:
Last time used marijuana or hashish/unit
English Text:
How long has it been since you last used marijuana or hashish?
English Instructions:
ENTER UNIT
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Days 249 249
2 Weeks 69 318
3 Months 190 508
4 Years 1059 1567
7 Refused 21 1588
9 Don't know 31 1619
. Missing 1666 3285

DUQ230 - # days used marijuana or hashish/month

Variable Name:
DUQ230
SAS Label:
# days used marijuana or hashish/month
English Text:
During the past 30 days, on how many days did you use marijuana or hashish?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT VALUES: 1-30. Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 30 days. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." ENTER A NUMBER
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 30
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 30 Range of Values 325 325
77 Refused 0 325
99 Don't know 3 328
. Missing 2957 3285

DUQ240 - Ever used cocaine/heroin/methamphetamine

Variable Name:
DUQ240
SAS Label:
Ever used cocaine/heroin/methamphetamine
English Text:
Have you ever used cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 603 603
2 No 2314 2917 DUQ370
7 Refused 7 2924 DUQ370
9 Don't know 8 2932 DUQ370
. Missing 353 3285

DUQ250 - Ever use any form of cocaine

Variable Name:
DUQ250
SAS Label:
Ever use any form of cocaine
English Text:
The following questions are about cocaine, including all the different forms of cocaine such as powder, 'crack', 'free base', and coca paste. Have you ever, even once, used cocaine, in any form?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 580 580
2 No 23 603 DUQ290
7 Refused 0 603 DUQ290
9 Don't know 0 603 DUQ290
. Missing 2682 3285

DUQ260 - Age first used cocaine

Variable Name:
DUQ260
SAS Label:
Age first used cocaine
English Text:
How old were you the first time you used cocaine, in any form?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT VALUES: 0-59 Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 59 years. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." HARD EDIT: DUQ.260 must be equal to or less than current age. Error message: "Your response is greater than your recorded age. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." ENTER AGE IN YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 59
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
2 to 59 Range of Values 578 578
77 Refused 2 580
99 Don't know 0 580
. Missing 2705 3285

DUQ270Q - Last time you used cocaine, in any form

Variable Name:
DUQ270Q
SAS Label:
Last time you used cocaine, in any form
English Text:
How long has it been since you last used cocaine, in any form?
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, OR YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 600 Range of Values 549 549
7777 Refused 15 564
9999 Don't know 16 580
. Missing 2705 3285

DUQ270U - Last time you used cocaine/unit

Variable Name:
DUQ270U
SAS Label:
Last time you used cocaine/unit
English Text:
How long has it been since you last used cocaine, in any form?
English Instructions:
ENTER UNIT
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Days 36 36
2 Weeks 15 51
3 Months 59 110
4 Years 439 549
7 Refused 15 564
9 Don't know 16 580
. Missing 2705 3285

DUQ272 - # of time you used cocaine

Variable Name:
DUQ272
SAS Label:
# of time you used cocaine
English Text:
During your life, altogether how many times have you used cocaine, in any form?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Once 65 65
2 2-5 times 139 204
3 6-19 times 123 327
4 20-49 times 104 431
5 50-99 times 64 495
6 100 times or more 78 573
77 Refused 4 577
99 Don't know 3 580
. Missing 2705 3285

DUQ280 - # of days used cocaine/month

Variable Name:
DUQ280
SAS Label:
# of days used cocaine/month
English Text:
During the past 30 days, on how many days did you use cocaine, in any form?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT VALUES: 1-30. Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 30 days. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." ENTER A NUMBER
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 30
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 30 Range of Values 48 48
77 Refused 0 48
99 Don't know 1 49
. Missing 3236 3285

DUQ290 - Ever used heroin

Variable Name:
DUQ290
SAS Label:
Ever used heroin
English Text:
The following questions are about heroin. Have you ever, even once, used heroin?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 79 79
2 No 521 600 DUQ330
7 Refused 1 601 DUQ330
9 Don't know 2 603 DUQ330
. Missing 2682 3285

DUQ300 - Age first used heroin

Variable Name:
DUQ300
SAS Label:
Age first used heroin
English Text:
How old were you the first time you used heroin?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT VALUES: 0-59 Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 59 years. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." HARD EDIT: DUQ.300 must be equal to or less than current age. Error message: "Your response is greater than your recorded age. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." ENTER AGE IN YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 59
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
12 to 40 Range of Values 79 79
77 Refused 0 79
99 Don't know 0 79
. Missing 3206 3285

DUQ310Q - Last time used heroin

Variable Name:
DUQ310Q
SAS Label:
Last time used heroin
English Text:
How long has it been since you last used heroin?
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, OR YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 35 Range of Values 79 79
7777 Refused 0 79
9999 Don't know 0 79
. Missing 3206 3285

DUQ310U - Last time used heroin/unit

Variable Name:
DUQ310U
SAS Label:
Last time used heroin/unit
English Text:
How long has it been since you last used heroin?
English Instructions:
ENTER UNIT
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Days 7 7
2 Weeks 0 7
3 Months 8 15
4 Years 64 79
7 Refused 0 79
9 Don't know 0 79
. Missing 3206 3285

DUQ320 - # of days used heroin/month

Variable Name:
DUQ320
SAS Label:
# of days used heroin/month
English Text:
During the past 30 days, on how many days did you use heroin?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT VALUES: 1-30. Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 30 days. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again."ENTER A NUMBER
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 30
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 23 Range of Values 7 7
77 Refused 0 7
99 Don't know 0 7
. Missing 3278 3285

DUQ330 - Ever used methamphetamine

Variable Name:
DUQ330
SAS Label:
Ever used methamphetamine
English Text:
The following questions are about methamphetamine, also known as crank, crystal, ice or speed. Have you ever, even once, used methamphetamine?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 227 227
2 No 373 600 DUQ370
7 Refused 2 602 DUQ370
9 Don't know 1 603 DUQ370
. Missing 2682 3285

DUQ340 - Age first used methamphetamine

Variable Name:
DUQ340
SAS Label:
Age first used methamphetamine
English Text:
How old were you the first time you used methamphetamine?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT VALUES: 0-59 Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 59 years. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." HARD EDIT: DUQ340 must be equal to or less than current age. Error message: "Your response is greater than your recorded age. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." ENTER AGE IN YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 59
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
12 to 45 Range of Values 227 227
77 Refused 0 227
99 Don't know 0 227
. Missing 3058 3285

DUQ350Q - Last time used methamphetamine

Variable Name:
DUQ350Q
SAS Label:
Last time used methamphetamine
English Text:
How long has it been since you last used methamphetamine?
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, OR YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 46 Range of Values 225 225
7777 Refused 0 225
9999 Don't know 2 227
. Missing 3058 3285

DUQ350U - Last time used methamphetamine/unit

Variable Name:
DUQ350U
SAS Label:
Last time used methamphetamine/unit
English Text:
How long has it been since you last used methamphetamine?
English Instructions:
ENTER UNIT
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Days 16 16
2 Weeks 5 21
3 Months 16 37
4 Years 188 225
7 Refused 0 225
9 Don't know 2 227
. Missing 3058 3285

DUQ352 - # times used methamphetamine

Variable Name:
DUQ352
SAS Label:
# times used methamphetamine
English Text:
During your life, altogether how many times have you used methamphetamine?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Once 22 22
2 2-5 times 42 64
3 6-19 times 66 130
4 20-49 times 46 176
5 50-99 times 19 195
6 100 times or more 32 227
77 Refused 0 227
99 Don't know 0 227
. Missing 3058 3285

DUQ360 - # days used methamphetamine/month

Variable Name:
DUQ360
SAS Label:
# days used methamphetamine/month
English Text:
During the past 30 days, on how many days did you use methamphetamine?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT VALUES: 1-30. Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 30 days. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." ENTER A NUMBER
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 30
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 30 Range of Values 18 18
77 Refused 1 19
99 Don't know 1 20
. Missing 3265 3285

DUQ370 - Ever use a needle to inject illegal drug

Variable Name:
DUQ370
SAS Label:
Ever use a needle to inject illegal drug
English Text:
The following questions are about the different ways that certain drugs can be used. Have you ever, even once, used a needle to inject a drug not prescribed by a doctor?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 73 73
2 No 2854 2927 DUQ425
7 Refused 3 2930 DUQ425
9 Don't know 1 2931 DUQ425
. Missing 354 3285

DUQ380A - Drugs injected - Cocaine

Variable Name:
DUQ380A
SAS Label:
Drugs injected - Cocaine
English Text:
Which of the following drugs have you injected using a needle?
English Instructions:
SHOW ALL FIVE ITEMS ON SINGLE ACASI SCREEN HARD EDIT: AT LEAST ONE ITEM IN DUQ380 MUST BE SELECTED. Error message: "Earlier you reported using a needle to inject drugs not prescribed by a doctor. Which of these drugs did you inject?"
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Cocaine 46 46
7 Refused 0 46
9 Don't know 0 46
. Missing 3239 3285

DUQ380B - Drugs injected - Heroin

Variable Name:
DUQ380B
SAS Label:
Drugs injected - Heroin
English Text:
Which of the following drugs have you injected using a needle?
English Instructions:
SHOW ALL FIVE ITEMS ON SINGLE ACASI SCREEN HARD EDIT: AT LEAST ONE ITEM IN DUQ380 MUST BE SELECTED. Error message: "Earlier you reported using a needle to inject drugs not prescribed by a doctor. Which of these drugs did you inject?"
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
2 Heroin 42 42
. Missing 3243 3285

DUQ380C - Drugs injected - Methamphetamine

Variable Name:
DUQ380C
SAS Label:
Drugs injected - Methamphetamine
English Text:
Which of the following drugs have you injected using a needle?
English Instructions:
SHOW ALL FIVE ITEMS ON SINGLE ACASI SCREEN HARD EDIT: AT LEAST ONE ITEM IN DUQ380 MUST BE SELECTED. Error message: "Earlier you reported using a needle to inject drugs not prescribed by a doctor. Which of these drugs did you inject?"
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
3 Methamphetamine 25 25
. Missing 3260 3285

DUQ380D - Drugs injected - Steroids

Variable Name:
DUQ380D
SAS Label:
Drugs injected - Steroids
English Text:
Which of the following drugs have you injected using a needle?
English Instructions:
SHOW ALL FIVE ITEMS ON SINGLE ACASI SCREEN HARD EDIT: AT LEAST ONE ITEM IN DUQ380 MUST BE SELECTED. Error message: "Earlier you reported using a needle to inject drugs not prescribed by a doctor. Which of these drugs did you inject?"
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
4 Steroids 4 4
. Missing 3281 3285

DUQ380E - Drugs injected - Any other drugs

Variable Name:
DUQ380E
SAS Label:
Drugs injected - Any other drugs
English Text:
Which of the following drugs have you injected using a needle?
English Instructions:
SHOW ALL FIVE ITEMS ON SINGLE ACASI SCREEN HARD EDIT: AT LEAST ONE ITEM IN DUQ380 MUST BE SELECTED. Error message: "Earlier you reported using a needle to inject drugs not prescribed by a doctor. Which of these drugs did you inject?"
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
5 Any other drugs 4 4
. Missing 3281 3285

DUQ390 - Age first injected drugs

Variable Name:
DUQ390
SAS Label:
Age first injected drugs
English Text:
How old were you when you first used a needle to inject any drug not prescribed by a doctor?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT VALUES: 0-59 Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 59 years. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." HARD EDIT: DUQ390 must be equal to or less than current age. Error message: "Your response is greater than your recorded age. Please press the "Back" button, press "Clear," and try again." ENTER AGE IN YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 59
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
12 to 44 Range of Values 73 73
77 Refused 0 73
99 Don't know 0 73
. Missing 3212 3285

DUQ400Q - Last time injected drugs

Variable Name:
DUQ400Q
SAS Label:
Last time injected drugs
English Text:
How long ago has it been since you last used a needle to inject a drug not prescribed by a doctor?
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, OR YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 35 Range of Values 69 69
7777 Refused 0 69
9999 Don't know 4 73
. Missing 3212 3285

DUQ400U - Last time injected drugs/unit

Variable Name:
DUQ400U
SAS Label:
Last time injected drugs/unit
English Text:
How long ago has it been since you last used a needle to inject a drug not prescribed by a doctor?
English Instructions:
ENTER UNIT
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Days 8 8
2 Weeks 0 8
3 Months 3 11
4 Years 58 69
7 Refused 0 69
9 Don't know 4 73
. Missing 3212 3285

DUQ410 - # times injected drugs/lifetime

Variable Name:
DUQ410
SAS Label:
# times injected drugs/lifetime
English Text:
During your life, altogether how many times have you injected drugs not prescribed by a doctor?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Once 8 8 DUQ430
2 2-5 times 18 26
3 6-19 times 8 34
4 20-49 times 10 44
5 50-99 times 10 54
6 100 times or more 19 73
77 Refused 0 73
99 Don't know 0 73
. Missing 3212 3285

DUQ420 - How often did you inject drugs

Variable Name:
DUQ420
SAS Label:
How often did you inject drugs
English Text:
Think about the period of your life when you injected drugs the most often. How often did you inject then?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 More than once a day, 21 21
2 About once a day, 10 31
3 At least once a week but not every day, 17 48
4 At least once a month but not every week, 3 51
5 Less than once a month 13 64
7 Refused 1 65
9 Don't know 0 65
. Missing 3220 3285

DUQ425 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
DUQ425
English Instructions:
BOX 5 CHECK ITEM 425. IF SP HAS USED MARIJUANA (CODED '1' IN DUQ.200 OR SP HAS USED COCAINE, HEROIN, OR METHAMPHETAMINE (CODED '1') IN DUQ.240, OR SP HAS INJECTED ANY DRUG NOT PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR (CODED '1') IN DUQ.370, GO TO DUQ.430. OTHERWISE, GO TO END OF SECTION.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS

DUQ430 - Ever been in rehabilitation program

Variable Name:
DUQ430
SAS Label:
Ever been in rehabilitation program
English Text:
Have you ever been in a drug treatment or drug rehabilitation program?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 138 138
2 No 1507 1645
7 Refused 3 1648
9 Don't know 2 1650
. Missing 1635 3285