Nearly one out of 4 Americans admitted to general hospitals have alcohol problems or are undiagnosed alcoholics being diagnosed for alcohol related consequences.

Among persons aged 12 or older, the overall rate of past month marijuana use in 2008 (6.1 percent) was similar to the rate in 2007 and the rates in earlier years going back to 2002.

Between 2002 and 2008, there was no change in the number of persons with substance dependence or abuse (22.0 million in 2002 and 22.2 million in 2008).

Among people aged 12 or older, the rate of past month alcohol use in large metropolitan areas (53.6 percent) was higher than the 51.3 percent in small metropolitan areas and 45.8 percent in nonmetropolitan areas. Binge drinking was equally prevalent in small metropolitan areas (22.5 percent), large metropolitan areas (23.9 percent), and nonmetropolitan areas (22.8 percent).