OASAS Statewide Comprehensive Plan reports primary substance of abuse at admission

What do you suppose the biggest substance of abuse is in New York State requiring treatment by OASAS licensed programs?

I'll give you a hint. It's legal.

The OASAS plan doesn't get it right. Because the correct answer is tobacco. However, not until this year has OASAS systematically addressed the problem of nicotine addiction.

So, the OASAS plan reports that the primary substance of abuse at admission is alcohol.

No other drug or substance comes even close. The next closest is opiates, then cannabis, and then cocaine and crack, and then other drugs.

Here is a table that outlines the data.

Click on the image to enlarge for easier reading.


GCASA's data is very similar although GCASA has been asked to provide service to increasing numbers of people struggling with dependence on opiates. It is expected that opiate addiction will continue to be a growing problem, and GCASA has developed a new Opiate treament program to specifically help manage the problems which opiates cause for people. (To learn more click on the videos on this blog under Cheryle McCann.)
This is article # 9 in a series on the OASAS Statewide Comprehensive Plan