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

Survey participants aged 12-69 years were eligible. Mentally impaired individuals, or participants who were unable to understand English or Spanish, were not asked these questions. Only data from participants aged 20-69 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 administered to survey participants 12-69 years old, during the physical examination at the examination center, in a private room, using the Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview (ACASI) system.

The ACASI was conducted in either English or Spanish. The ACASI enables participants to hear questions through earphones as well as read questions on the computer screen. Participants move at their own speed and touch the screen to indicate their response. No proxy participants or translators were used in situations when the participants 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 participants of potential data entry errors or problems. When a response was entered, that had been programmed as unlikely, participants were allowed to proceed after confirming that their entry was correct. When a response was entered that had been programmed as an error, participants were prohibited from continuing with the ACASI until the error was corrected.

Data Processing and Editing

Frequency counts were checked, “skip” patterns were verified, and the reasonableness of question responses was reviewed

Analytic Notes

The questionnaire has not changed since the 2005-2006 drug use release, however for certain questions the age range was changed from 12-59 to 12-69.  Analysts should pay close attention to age ranges.

Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues. Both of these are available on the NHANES website.

Special use data files for participants 12-19 years will be available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).

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 - 69 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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Complete 4128 4128
2 Partial Exam 1 4129
3 Not Done 496 4625 End of Section
. Missing 0 4625

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 1811 1811
2 No 1444 3255 DUQ240
7 Refused 9 3264 DUQ240
9 Don't know 4 3268 DUQ240
. Missing 1357 4625

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: 0-69 Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 69 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 69
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 51 Range of Values 1808 1808
77 Refused 2 1810
99 Don't know 1 1811
. Missing 2814 4625

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 321 Range of Values 1740 1740
7777 Refused 33 1773
9999 Don't know 38 1811
. Missing 2814 4625

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 301 301
2 Weeks 87 388
3 Months 187 575
4 Years 1166 1741
7 Refused 32 1773
9 Don't know 38 1811
. Missing 2814 4625

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 389 389
77 Refused 2 391
99 Don't know 1 392
. Missing 4233 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 695 695
2 No 3406 4101 DUQ370
7 Refused 12 4113 DUQ370
9 Don't know 15 4128 DUQ370
. Missing 497 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 660 660
2 No 33 693 DUQ290
7 Refused 1 694 DUQ290
9 Don't know 1 695 DUQ290
. Missing 3930 4625

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: 0-69 Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 69 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 69
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 50 Range of Values 619 619
77 Refused 0 619
99 Don't know 1 620
. Missing 4005 4625

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 365 Range of Values 604 604
7777 Refused 10 614
9999 Don't know 6 620
. Missing 4005 4625

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 51 51
2 Weeks 28 79
3 Months 57 136
4 Years 468 604
7 Refused 10 614
9 Don't know 6 620
. Missing 4005 4625

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 50 50
2 2-5 times 147 197
3 6-19 times 122 319
4 20-49 times 119 438
5 50-99 times 68 506
6 100 times or more 107 613
77 Refused 6 619
99 Don't know 1 620
. Missing 4005 4625

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 71 71
77 Refused 0 71
99 Don't know 1 72
. Missing 4553 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 86 86
2 No 608 694 DUQ330
7 Refused 0 694 DUQ330
9 Don't know 1 695 DUQ330
. Missing 3930 4625

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 69
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
9 to 46 Range of Values 75 75
77 Refused 0 75
99 Don't know 0 75
. Missing 4550 4625

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 90 Range of Values 73 73
7777 Refused 2 75
9999 Don't know 0 75
. Missing 4550 4625

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 6 6
2 Weeks 1 7
3 Months 3 10
4 Years 63 73
7 Refused 2 75
9 Don't know 0 75
. Missing 4550 4625

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 30 Range of Values 6 6
77 Refused 0 6
99 Don't know 0 6
. Missing 4619 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 254 254
2 No 441 695 DUQ370
7 Refused 0 695 DUQ370
9 Don't know 0 695 DUQ370
. Missing 3930 4625

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 69
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
7 to 50 Range of Values 240 240
77 Refused 0 240
99 Don't know 0 240
. Missing 4385 4625

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 241 Range of Values 238 238
7777 Refused 1 239
9999 Don't know 1 240
. Missing 4385 4625

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 12 12
2 Weeks 4 16
3 Months 16 32
4 Years 206 238
7 Refused 1 239
9 Don't know 1 240
. Missing 4385 4625

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 54 76
3 6-19 times 57 133
4 20-49 times 36 169
5 50-99 times 23 192
6 100 times or more 47 239
77 Refused 1 240
99 Don't know 0 240
. Missing 4385 4625

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 20 Range of Values 15 15
77 Refused 0 15
99 Don't know 0 15
. Missing 4610 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 113 113
2 No 4004 4117 DUQ425
7 Refused 1 4118 DUQ425
9 Don't know 10 4128 DUQ425
. Missing 497 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Cocaine 59 59
7 Refused 0 59
9 Don't know 1 60
. Missing 4565 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
2 Heroin 45 45
. Missing 4580 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
3 Methamphetamine 34 34
. Missing 4591 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
4 Steroids 10 10
. Missing 4615 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
5 Any other drugs 26 26
. Missing 4599 4625

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: 0-69 Error message: "Your response cannot exceed 69 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 - 69 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 69
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
9 to 61 Range of Values 110 110
77 Refused 3 113
99 Don't know 0 113
. Missing 4512 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 251 Range of Values 109 109
7777 Refused 2 111
9999 Don't know 2 113
. Missing 4512 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Days 11 11
2 Weeks 1 12
3 Months 5 17
4 Years 92 109
7 Refused 2 111
9 Don't know 2 113
. Missing 4512 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Once 20 20 DUQ430
2 2-5 times 29 49
3 6-19 times 18 67
4 20-49 times 14 81
5 50-99 times 9 90
6 100 times or more 22 112
77 Refused 0 112
99 Don't know 1 113
. Missing 4512 4625

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 - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 More than once a day, 27 27
2 About once a day, 13 40
3 At least once a week but not every day, 22 62
4 At least once a month but not every week, 18 80
5 Less than once a month 12 92
7 Refused 0 92
9 Don't know 1 93
. Missing 4532 4625

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 - 69 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 190 190
2 No 1669 1859
7 Refused 1 1860
9 Don't know 1 1861
. Missing 2764 4625