Substance abuse treatment clients are increasingly less likely to be treated solely for alcohol abuse, according to recently released data from an annual survey of all public and private substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States.

The percentage of clients in treatment solely for the abuse of alcohol decreased from 30.5% in 1995 (the first year data was collected) to 18.5% in 2006 (the most recent year for which data are available). At the same time, the percentage of clients in treatment for other drug abuse increased from 23.4% to 35.1%.

The proportion of clients being treated for both alcohol and other drug abuse remained relatively stable at around 46%.

While these findings may reflect actual changes in substance abuse and dependence, it is also possible that they are a result of  other factors, such as changes in insurance policies or access to treatment.

For details, including data charts, source information and caveats, download the PDF.

Reprinted from CESAR Fax, a weekly, one-page overview of timely substance abuse trends or issues, from The Center on Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland.