Office of Applied Studies 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

http://dawninfo.samhsa.gov/

DRUG ABUSE WARNING NETWORK, 2005: SELECTED TABLES OF 

NATIONAL ESTIMATES OF DRUG-RELATED EMERGENCY 

DEPARTMENT VISITS 

In August 2008, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released Drug 

Abuse Warning Network, 2006: National Estimates of Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits. This annual report 

included estimates for 2006 and comparisons of the emergency department estimates for 2004, 2005, and 2006. This 

report may be accessed on the Web at http://dawninfo.samhsa.gov/files/ED2006/DAWN2k6ED.pdf. 

The 2006 estimates reflect several improvements made to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) sampling 

and estimation methodology. To ensure comparability between estimates for 2004, 2005, and 2006, the 

improvements were applied retrospectively to 2004 and 2005 data, resulting in small changes as compared with early 

published estimates. 

Tables for 2005 that have not already been published in the 2006 ED report are now available online. The 2005 

tables and charts follow the same title and numbering system as the 2006 ED report. Links to the revised 2005 tables 

are provided below. 

General information about DAWN is at http://dawninfo.samhsa.gov/. Information on other sources of data on 

substance abuse and mental health from SAMHSA’s Office of Applied Studies (OAS) is located at 

http://oas.samhsa.gov/.

LIST OF TABLES 

Table 1 Drug misuse and abuse in ED visits in the U.S., by type of drug involvement: 2005 

Table 2 Illicit drugs in ED visits: 2005 

Table 3 Illicit drugs, by patient characteristics: 2005 

Table 4 Alcohol in drug-related ED visits: 2005 

Table 5 Alcohol in combination, by patient and visit characteristics: 2005 

Table 6 Drugs most frequently reported with alcohol: 2005 

Table 7 Alcohol in drug-related ED visits in patients under age 21: 2005 

Table 8 Alcohol only (age < 21), by patient and visit characteristics: 2005 
Table 9 Nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals: 2005 

Table 10 Nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals, by patient and visit characteristics: 2005 

Table 16 Suicide attempts: 2005 

Table 17 Suicide attempts, by patient and visit characteristics: 2005 

Table 19 Seeking detox: 2005 

Table 20 Seeking detox, by patient and visit characteristics: 2005 

Table C2 Drug-related ED visits, by type of case: 2005 

Table C5 Population by age and gender: 2005 

PUBLIC DOMAIN NOTICE 

All material appearing in these tables is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without 

permission from SAMHSA. However, this publication may not be reproduced or distributed for a fee without the 

specific, written authorization of the Office of Communications, SAMHSA. Citation of the source is appreciated. 

Suggested citation: 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies. Drug Abuse Warning 

Network, 2005: Selected Tables of National Estimates of Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits.

Rockville, MD, 2009. 

This publication was prepared by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of 

Applied Studies, and by RTI International under Contract No. 280-03-2602. 

ORIGINATING OFFICE 

Office of Applied Studies 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 7-1044, Rockville, MD 20857 

DATE OF ORIGINAL POSTING 

June 2009 
Table 1 

Drug misuse and abuse in ED visits in the U.S., by type of drug involvement: 2005 

Drug involvement1 Estimated 

visits2

Percent 

of visits 

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

All types of drug misuse/abuse 1,616,311 100% 9.1 1,329,073 - 1,903,548 

Illicit drugs only 517,558 32% 17.5 339,699 - 695,417 

Alcohol only (age < 21) 110,599 7% 11.3 86,147 - 135,052 

Pharmaceuticals only 444,309 27% 7.2 381,282 - 507,337 

Combinations 

Illicit drugs with alcohol3 221,823 14% 19.2 138,406 - 305,240 

Illicit drugs with pharmaceuticals 127,245 8% 13.6 93,304 - 161,186 

Alcohol with pharmaceuticals 140,275 9% 6.7 121,764 - 158,787 

Illicit drugs with alcohol and pharmaceuticals 54,500 3% 13.9 39,601 - 69,400 

1 The classification of drugs used in DAWN is derived from the Multum Lexicon, © 2007, Multum Information Services, Inc. The 

classification was modified to meet DAWN’s unique requirements (2007). The Multum Licensing Agreement governing use of the 

Lexicon can be found on the Internet at http://www.multum.com. 

2 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

3 DAWN excludes alcohol-only visits for adults. Alcohol, when present with other drugs, is included for all ages. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table 2 

Illicit drugs in ED visits: 2005 

Drug category and selected drugs1 Estimated 

visits2,3,4

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

Drug-related ED visits 

Total drug misuse/abuse ED visits 1,616,311 9.1 1,329,073 - 1,903,548 

ED visits, illicit drugs 921,127 15.2 647,030 - 1,195,224 

Cocaine 483,865 16.5 327,426 - 640,304 

Heroin 187,493 19.5 115,953 - 259,034 

Marijuana 279,664 12.4 211,755 - 347,572 

Stimulants 137,650 24.7 71,051 - 204,248 

Amphetamines 34,928 15.8 24,102 - 45,753 

Methamphetamine 109,655 28.9 47,540 - 171,770 

MDMA (Ecstasy) 11,287 16.2 7,695 - 14,879 

GHB 1,036 19.5 640 - 1,431 

Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) ... ... ... - ... 

Ketamine 303 32.1 112 - 494 

LSD 2,001 19.6 1,231 - 2,771 

PCP 14,825 33.0 5,224 - 24,427 

Miscellaneous hallucinogens 3,194 19.2 1,991 - 4,398 

Inhalants 5,156 21.6 2,968 - 7,344 

Combinations not tabulated above (NTA) 3,201 39.3 732 - 5,669 
Table 2 (continued) 

Illicit drugs in ED visits: 2005 

Drug category and selected drugs1

ED visits 

per 100,000 

population2,3,4

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

ED visits per 100,000 population 

Total drug misuse/abuse ED visits 545.3 9.1 448.0 - 642.6 

ED visits, illicit drugs 310.8 15.2 218.2 - 403.3 

Cocaine 163.2 16.5 110.4 - 216.0 

Heroin 63.3 19.5 39.1 - 87.4 

Marijuana 94.4 12.4 71.4 - 117.3 

Stimulants 46.4 24.7 24.0 - 68.9 

Amphetamines 11.8 15.8 8.1 - 15.4 

Methamphetamine 37.0 28.9 16.0 - 57.9 

MDMA (Ecstasy) 3.8 16.2 2.6 - 5.0 

GHB 0.3 19.5 0.2 - 0.5 

Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) ... ... ... - ... 

Ketamine 0.1 32.1 ... - ... 

LSD 0.7 19.6 0.4 - 0.9 

PCP 5.0 33.0 1.8 - 8.2 

Miscellaneous hallucinogens 1.1 19.2 0.7 - 1.5 

Inhalants 1.7 21.6 1.0 - 2.5 

Combinations not tabulated above (NTA) 1.1 39.3 ... - ... 

1 The classification of drugs used in DAWN is derived from the Multum Lexicon, © 2007, Multum Information Services, Inc. The 

classification was modified to meet DAWN’s unique requirements (2007). The Multum Licensing Agreement governing use of the 

Lexicon can be found on the Internet at http://www.multum.com. 

2 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

3 ED visits often involve multiple drugs. Such visits will appear multiple times in this table (e.g., a visit involving both cocaine and 

heroin will appear twice in this table). Summing ED visits as reported will produce incorrect and inflated counts of ED visits.

4 Three dots (...) indicate that an estimate with an RSE greater than 50% or an estimate less than 30 has been suppressed. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table 3 

Illicit drugs, by patient characteristics: 2005 

Patient 

characteristics 

Selected drugs1

All 

illicits Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Stimulants MDMA (Ecstasy) GHB LSD PCP 

Drug-related ED visits2,3

ED visits, illicit 

drugs 921,127 483,865 187,493 279,664 137,650 11,287 1,036 2,001 14,825 

Gender 

Male 606,714 308,559 131,665 187,440 89,015 7,009 796 1,716 10,721 

Female 314,037 175,191 55,787 92,081 48,515 4,274 240 285 4,007 

Unknown 375 116 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 

Age 

0-5 years 1,102 106 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 

6-11 years 557 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 

12-17 years 53,400 7,848 1,033 38,607 12,028 1,929 ... ... 691 

18-20 years 70,746 21,112 9,360 38,254 14,055 2,528 ... 343 ... 

21-24 years 105,420 39,468 19,546 44,597 23,751 2,206 ... 488 2,288 

25-29 years 113,258 53,136 22,570 41,480 23,186 2,512 277 250 3,384 

30-34 years 114,255 62,640 24,053 31,574 18,880 947 119 ... ... 

35-44 years 261,943 174,023 54,218 50,131 31,071 877 283 ... 3,651 

45-54 years 161,962 105,165 43,301 28,107 11,712 ... ... ... 946 

55-64 years 31,914 16,348 11,504 5,498 1,999 ... ... ... ... 

65 years and 

older 5,320 2,834 ... 714 ... ... ... ... ... 

Unknown 1,250 ... 71 ... ... ... ... ... ... 

Race/ethnicity 

White 402,160 177,820 80,522 147,087 79,085 5,053 633 1,194 5,851 

Black 283,519 203,124 47,537 66,877 8,413 2,298 ... ... 6,218 

Hispanic 99,126 38,881 26,719 26,220 ... 1,017 ... ... 1,074 

Race/ethnicity 

not tabulated 

above (NTA) 

 9,117 4,016 1,119 2,688 ... 468 ... ... ... 

Unknown 127,206 60,025 31,596 36,792 21,796 2,451 187 468 1,589 
Table 3 (continued) 

Illicit drugs, by patient characteristics: 2005 

Patient 

characteristics 

Selected drugs1

All 

illicits Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Stimulants MDMA (Ecstasy) GHB LSD PCP 

ED visits per 100,000 population2,3

ED visits, illicit 

drugs 310.8 163.2 63.3 94.4 46.4 3.8 0.3 0.7 5.0 

Gender 

Male 415.6 211.3 90.2 128.4 61.0 4.8 0.5 1.2 7.3 

Female 208.8 116.5 37.1 61.2 32.3 2.8 0.2 0.2 2.7 

Age 

0-5 years 4.6 0.4 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 

6-11 years 2.3 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 

12-17 years 209.5 30.8 4.1 151.5 47.2 7.6 ... ... 2.7 

18-20 years 568.2 169.6 75.2 307.3 112.9 20.3 ... 2.8 ... 

21-24 years 625.4 234.1 116.0 264.6 140.9 13.1 ... 2.9 13.6 

25-29 years 564.4 264.8 112.5 206.7 115.6 12.5 1.4 1.2 16.9 

30-34 years 569.1 312.0 119.8 157.3 94.0 4.7 0.6 ... ... 

35-44 years 597.2 396.7 123.6 114.3 70.8 2.0 0.6 ... 8.3 

45-54 years 381.2 247.6 101.9 66.2 27.6 ... ... ... 2.2 

55-64 years 105.1 53.9 37.9 18.1 6.6 ... ... ... ... 

65 years and 

older 14.5 7.7 ... 1.9 ... ... ... ... ... 

1 The classification of drugs used in DAWN is derived from the Multum Lexicon, © 2007, Multum Information Services, Inc. The 

classification was modified to meet DAWN’s unique requirements (2007). The Multum Licensing Agreement governing use of the 

Lexicon can be found on the Internet at http://www.multum.com. 

2 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

3 Three dots (...) indicate that an estimate with an RSE greater than 50% or an estimate less than 30 has been suppressed. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update).
Table 4 

Alcohol in drug-related ED visits: 2005 

Drug category and selected drugs1 Estimated 

visits2,3

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

Total drug misuse/abuse ED visits 1,616,311 9.1 1,329,073 - 1,903,549 

ED visits, alcohol 527,198 10.0 424,345 - 630,052 

Alcohol in combination 416,599 11.1 325,805 - 507,392 

Alcohol alone 110,599 11.3 86,147 - 135,052 

1 The classification of drugs used in DAWN is derived from the Multum Lexicon, © 2007, Multum Information Services, Inc. The 

classification was modified to meet DAWN’s unique requirements (2007). The Multum Licensing Agreement governing use of the 

Lexicon can be found on the Internet at http://www.multum.com. 

2 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

3 Estimates are all expressed in visits. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table 5 

Alcohol in combination, by patient and visit characteristics: 2005 

Patient characteristics Estimated 

visits1,2 Visit characteristics Estimated visits 1,2

ED visits, alcohol in combination 416,599 

Gender Number of drugs involved 

Male 261,482 Single drug 

Female 155,042 Multiple drugs 416,599 

Unknown ... Alcohol involved 416,599 

Age Disposition 

0-5 years ... Treated and released 217,029 

6-11 years ... Discharged home 176,516 

12-17 years 19,720 Released to police/jail 12,250 

18-20 years 27,784 Referred to detox/treatment 28,263 

21-24 years 45,688 Admitted to this hospital 136,951 

25-29 years 49,962 ICU/critical care 26,310 

30-34 years 45,275 Surgery 267 

35-44 years 122,860 Chemical dependency/detox 15,506 

45-54 years 82,520 Psychiatric unit 48,065 

55-64 years 15,460 Other inpatient unit 46,803 

65 years and older 6,412 Other disposition 62,619 

Unknown ... Transferred 38,987 

Race/ethnicity Left against medical advice 8,598 

White 223,734 Died ... 

Black 94,620 Other ... 

Hispanic 40,413 Not documented 4,042 

Race/ethnicity not tabulated above 

(NTA) 3,428 

Unknown 54,403 

1 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

2 Three dots (...) indicate that an estimate with an RSE greater than 50% or an estimate less than 30 has been suppressed. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table 6 

Drugs most frequently reported with alcohol: 2005 

Drugs reported with alcohol1 Estimated visits2

No other drug 110,559 

Cocaine only 95,557 

Marijuana only 40,483 

Cocaine and marijuana only 19,552 

Heroin only 17,123 

Stimulants only 15,415 

Alprazolam only 8,005 

Cocaine and heroin only 9,306 

1 The classification of drugs used in DAWN is derived from the Multum Lexicon, © 2007, Multum Information Services, Inc. The 

classification was modified to meet DAWN’s unique requirements (2007). The Multum Licensing Agreement governing use of the 

Lexicon can be found on the Internet at http://www.multum.com. 

2 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update).
Table 7 

Alcohol in drug-related ED visits in patients under age 21: 2005 

Drug category and selected drugs1 Estimated 

visits2

Relative 

standard error 

(RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

Patients aged 12-17 

ED visits, alcohol 62,459 9.7 50,578 - 74,339 

Alcohol in combination 19,720 9.5 16,066 - 23,373 

Alcohol alone 42,739 11.6 32,983 - 52,495 

Patients aged 18-20 

ED visits, alcohol 95,166 11.7 73,382 - 116,949 

Alcohol in combination 27,784 12.2 21,146 - 34,422 

Alcohol alone 67,382 13.0 50,154 - 84,610 

1 The classification of drugs used in DAWN is derived from the Multum Lexicon, © 2007, Multum Information Services, Inc. The 

classification was modified to meet DAWN’s unique requirements (2007). The Multum Licensing Agreement governing use of the 

Lexicon can be found on the Internet at http://www.multum.com. 

2 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table 8 

Alcohol only (age < 21), by patient and visit characteristics: 2005 

Patient characteristics Estimated 

visits1,2 Visit characteristics Estimated visits 1,2

ED visits, alcohol only (age < 21)3 109,174 

Gender Number of drugs involved 

Male 61,973 Single drug 109,174 

Female 47,194 Multiple drugs 

Unknown ... Alcohol involved 109,174 

Age Disposition 

0-5 years ... Treated and released 97,942 

6-11 years ... Discharged home 90,025 

12-17 years 42,259 Released to police/jail 6,455 

18-20 years 66,437 Referred to detox/treatment 1,463 

21-24 years ... Admitted to this hospital 5,569 

25-29 years ... ICU/critical care 1,209 

30-34 years ... Surgery 174 

35-44 years ... Chemical dependency/detox ... 

45-54 years ... Psychiatric unit 788 

55-64 years ... Other inpatient unit 3,162 

65 years and older ... Other disposition 5,663 

Unknown ... Transferred 3,014 

Race/ethnicity Left against medical advice 1,063 

White 62,911 Died ... 

Black 7,860 Other ... 

Hispanic 18,689 Not documented 746 

Race/ethnicity not tabulated above 

(NTA) 1,632 

Unknown 18,083 

1 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

2 Three dots (...) indicate that an estimate with an RSE greater than 50% or an estimate less than 30 has been suppressed. 

3 This table is limited to ED visits classified as “alcohol only (age < 21)” and excludes visits classified as either “suicide attempt” or 

“seeking detox.” Therefore, the estimate of total visits is slightly lower than reported in Table 4. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update).
Table 9 

Nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals: 2005 

Selected drug categories and selected drugs1 Estimated 

visits2,3,4

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

ED visits, nonmedical use 669,214 7.0 577,800 - 760,628 

PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC AGENTS 308,655 8.3 258,552 - 358,758 

Antidepressants 67,051 8.2 56,287 - 77,816 

MAO inhibitors ... ... ... - ... 

SSRI antidepressants 30,374 11.6 23,467 - 37,280 

Tricyclic antidepressants 14,515 21.2 8,482 - 20,548 

Miscellaneous antidepressants 7,452 18.9 4,697 - 10,206 

Antipsychotics 44,393 9.7 35,922 - 52,864 

Anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics 227,486 10.6 180,381 - 274,590 

Barbiturates 14,693 27.6 6,735 - 22,652 

Benzodiazepines 189,704 11.6 146,433 - 232,974 

Alprazolam 57,419 11.0 45,033 - 69,806 

Clonazepam 30,648 10.9 24,111 - 37,185 

Diazepam 18,433 14.1 13,350 - 23,516 

Lorazepam 23,210 13.4 17,132 - 29,288 

Benzodiazepines NOS 61,486 29.1 26,461 - 96,510 

Misc. anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics 35,561 12.0 27,214 - 43,908 

Diphenhydramine 10,294 13.7 7,534 - 13,055 

Hydroxyzine 2,179 25.8 1,078 - 3,279 

Zolpidem 14,730 16.2 10,050 - 19,410 

Anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics NOS 4,421 19.3 2,751 - 6,091 

CNS stimulants 10,965 12.4 8,307 - 13,623 

Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine 2,669 23.9 1,417 - 3,920 

Caffeine 4,567 16.6 3,080 - 6,054 

Dextroamphetamine ... ... ... - ... 

Methylphenidate 2,519 21.1 1,478 - 3,560 
Table 9 (continued) 

Nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals: 2005 

Selected drug categories and selected drugs1 Estimated 

visits2,3,4

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS 336,900 8.2 282,659 - 391,142 

Analgesics 294,251 8.5 245,312 - 343,191 

Antimigraine agents 1,018 26.1 497 - 1,539 

Cox-2 inhibitors 765 34.2 253 - 1,276 

Opiates/opioids 217,594 10.4 173,143 - 262,045 

Opiates/opioids, unspecified 52,670 19.3 32,702 - 72,638 

Narcotic analgesics 168,376 10.5 133,645 - 203,108 

Buprenorphine/combinations ... 52.3 ... - ... 

Codeine/combinations 6,180 11.9 4,737 - 7,622 

Fentanyl/combinations 11,211 24.2 5,904 - 16,519 

Hydrocodone/combinations 47,192 15.0 33,335 - 61,048 

Hydromorphone/combinations 4,714 22.9 2,595 - 6,834 

Meperidine/combinations 383 39.0 90 - 676 

Methadone 42,684 14.5 30,520 - 54,847 

Morphine/combinations 15,762 26.5 7,563 - 23,961 

Oxycodone/combinations 52,943 13.3 39,157 - 66,729 

Propoxyphene/combinations 7,648 15.4 5,335 - 9,962 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents 28,837 9.4 23,541 - 34,132 

Ibuprofen 22,268 11.1 17,428 - 27,108 

Naproxen 5,190 12.2 3,951 - 6,428 

Salicylates/combinations 12,123 10.7 9,569 - 14,678 

Miscellaneous analgesics/combinations 51,881 8.0 43,699 - 60,064 

Acetaminophen/combinations 43,558 8.3 36,434 - 50,682 

Tramadol/combinations 5,918 23.6 3,178 - 8,659 

Tramadol 5,427 26.9 2,569 - 8,284 

Acetaminophen-tramadol ... 61.0 ... - ... 

Analgesic combinations not tabulated above (NTA) 653 29.7 273 - 1,032 

Anorexiants 1,757 20.9 1,038 - 2,476 

Anticonvulsants 27,641 8.8 22,897 - 32,385 

Antiemetic/antivertigo agents 1,771 38.6 432 - 3,109 

Anti-Parkinson agents 1,692 27.4 785 - 2,599 

General anesthetics ... ... ... - ... 
Table 9 (continued) 

Nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals: 2005 

Selected drug categories and selected drugs1 Estimated 

visits2,3,4

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

Muscle relaxants 33,695 14.3 24,235 - 43,154 

Carisoprodol 20,082 18.5 12,791 - 27,374 

Cyclobenzaprine 7,629 16.0 5,230 - 10,028 

Miscellaneous CNS agents 900 32.0 336 - 1,464 

RESPIRATORY AGENTS 28,017 12.1 21,383 - 34,651 

Antihistamines 4,429 14.1 3,206 - 5,652 

Bronchodilators 3,043 27.1 1,427 - 4,659 

Decongestants 1,309 39.0 308 - 2,310 

Expectorants 1,960 25.7 971 - 2,949 

Upper respiratory combinations 15,837 14.9 11,209 - 20,465 

Respiratory agents NTA 3,692 14.4 2,651 - 4,733 

CARDIOVASCULAR AGENTS 37,095 9.5 30,224 - 43,966 

Antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting 5,125 19.9 3,124 - 7,127 

Beta-adrenergic blocking agents 9,824 13.3 7,260 - 12,388 

Calcium channel blocking agents 5,434 16.8 3,642 - 7,226 

Diuretics 5,332 15.2 3,739 - 6,924 

Cardiovascular agents NTA 18,881 12.0 14,443 - 23,320 

1 The classification of drugs used in DAWN is derived from the Multum Lexicon, © 2007, Multum Information Services, Inc. The 

classification was modified to meet DAWN’s unique requirements (2007). The Multum Licensing Agreement governing use of the 

Lexicon can be found on the Internet at http://www.multum.com. 

2 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

3 ED visits often involve multiple drugs. Such visits will appear multiple times in this table (e.g., a visit involving oxycodone and 

hydrocodone will appear twice in this table). Summing ED visits as reported will produce incorrect and inflated counts of ED visits. 

4 Three dots (...) indicate that an estimate with an RSE greater than 50% or an estimate less than 30 has been suppressed. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table 10 

Nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals, by patient and visit characteristics: 2005 

Patient characteristics Estimated 

visits1,2 Visit characteristics Estimated visits 1,2

ED visits, nonmedical use 669,214 

Gender Number of drugs involved 

Male 308,072 Single drug 305,688 

Female 360,975 Multiple drugs 363,526 

Unknown 167 

Age Disposition 

0-5 years 8,840 Treated and released 381,881 

6-11 years 4,753 Discharged home 343,810 

12-17 years 62,174 Released to police/jail 14,097 

18-20 years 46,674 Referred to detox/treatment 23,973 

21-24 years 65,239 Admitted to this hospital 196,314 

25-29 years 66,936 ICU/critical care 58,733 

30-34 years 58,483 Surgery 371 

35-44 years 144,758 Chemical dependency/detox ... 

45-54 years 110,565 Psychiatric unit 33,909 

55-64 years 50,646 Other inpatient unit 101,280 

65 years and older 49,443 Other disposition 91,018 

Unknown ... Transferred 54,384 

Race/ethnicity Left against medical advice 11,479 

White 442,305 Died 1,827 

Black 73,380 Other ... 

Hispanic 38,173 Not documented 6,960 

Race/ethnicity not tabulated above 

(NTA) 7,044 

Unknown 108,312 

1 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

2 Three dots (...) indicate that an estimate with an RSE greater than 50% or an estimate less than 30 has been suppressed. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table 16 

Suicide attempts: 2005 

Drug category and selected drugs1 Estimated 

visits2,3,4

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

Total drug-related ED visits, suicide attempts 151,568 8.0 127,715 - 175,421 

Major substances of abuse 

Alcohol 47,891 8.4 39,981 - 55,800 

Alcohol in combination 46,806 8.3 39,204 - 54,408 

Alcohol alone 1,085 35.4 332 - 1,838 

Non-alcohol illicits 33,784 17.8 21,979 - 45,588 

Cocaine 19,628 20.4 11,765 - 27,492 

Heroin 3,167 37.0 870 - 5,463 

Marijuana 11,955 17.6 7,842 - 16,068 

Stimulants 5,410 31.9 2,031 - 8,789 

Amphetamines 1,646 28.2 735 - 2,557 

Methamphetamine 3,853 36.6 1,092 - 6,614 

MDMA (Ecstasy) 529 36.7 148 - 909 

GHB ... ... ... - ... 

Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) ... ... ... - ... 

Ketamine ... ... ... - ... 

LSD ... ... ... - ... 

PCP ... 68.1 ... - ... 

Miscellaneous hallucinogens ... ... ... - ... 

Inhalants 794 40.0 171 - 1,416 

Combinations not tabulated above (NTA) ... ... ... - ... 

Other substances 

PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC AGENTS 82,144 7.4 70,250 - 94,038 

Antidepressants 27,086 7.7 22,976 - 31,196 

MAO inhibitors ... ... ... - ... 

SSRI antidepressants 13,377 9.9 10,779 - 15,975 

Tricyclic antidepressants 3,008 18.0 1,950 - 4,067 

Miscellaneous antidepressants 2,681 22.1 1,520 - 3,842 

Antipsychotics 17,129 11.6 13,235 - 21,024 

Anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics 52,022 8.8 43,090 - 60,953 

Barbiturates 1,219 23.7 654 - 1,784 

Benzodiazepines 35,676 10.3 28,439 - 42,912 

Alprazolam 14,530 16.2 9,915 - 19,145 

Clonazepam 9,064 12.8 6,789 - 11,339 
Table 16 (continued) 

Suicide attempts: 2005 

Drug category and selected drugs1 Estimated 

visits2,3,4

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

Diazepam 3,968 16.4 2,694 - 5,242 

Lorazepam 5,182 18.6 3,296 - 7,067 

Benzodiazepines NOS 3,343 33.0 1,179 - 5,508 

Misc. anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics 17,522 9.8 14,161 - 20,883 

Diphenhydramine 6,583 18.5 4,200 - 8,967 

Hydroxyzine 1,795 24.2 944 - 2,647 

Zolpidem 4,972 14.4 3,572 - 6,373 

Anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics NOS 2,147 27.8 975 - 3,319 

CNS stimulants 1,782 17.8 1,160 - 2,404 

Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine ... ... ... - ... 

Caffeine 450 42.4 76 - 823 

Dextroamphetamine ... ... ... - ... 

Methylphenidate 818 33.5 280 - 1,356 

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS 66,321 7.4 56,726 - 75,916 

Analgesics 54,858 7.1 47,250 - 62,466 

Antimigraine agents ... ... ... - ... 

Cox-2 inhibitors 514 48.2 28 - 999 

Opiates/opioids 20,359 9.0 16,770 - 23,948 

Opiates/opioids, unspecified 2,819 26.7 1,343 - 4,296 

Narcotic analgesics 17,801 10.6 14,117 - 21,485 

Buprenorphine/combinations ... ... ... - ... 

Codeine/combinations 2,656 28.0 1,199 - 4,113 

Fentanyl/combinations ... ... ... - ... 

Hydrocodone/combinations 7,035 15.1 4,955 - 9,115 

Hydromorphone/combinations ... ... ... - ... 

Meperidine/combinations ... ... ... - ... 

Methadone 1,596 33.2 557 - 2,636 

Morphine/combinations 1,210 27.3 564 - 1,856 

Oxycodone/combinations 4,229 15.6 2,933 - 5,524 

Propoxyphene/combinations 2,129 24.7 1,099 - 3,159 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents 14,117 9.2 11,572 - 16,662 

Ibuprofen 10,917 10.0 8,771 - 13,064 

Naproxen 3,224 18.7 2,042 - 4,406 

Salicylates/combinations 4,645 16.2 3,173 - 6,118 
Table 16 (continued) 

Suicide attempts: 2005 

Drug category and selected drugs1 Estimated 

visits2,3,4

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

Miscellaneous analgesics/combinations 22,692 9.3 18,576 - 26,808 

Acetaminophen/combinations 21,017 9.3 17,167 - 24,866 

Tramadol/combinations 1,515 29.8 631 - 2,399 

Tramadol 1,079 37.9 278 - 1,879 

Acetaminophen-tramadol ... ... ... - ... 

Analgesic combinations NTA ... ... ... - ... 

Anorexiants ... ... ... - ... 

Anticonvulsants 9,389 16.8 6,299 - 12,480 

Antiemetic/antivertigo agents ... ... ... - ... 

Anti-Parkinson agents 543 46.2 51 - 1,035 

General anesthetics ... ... ... - ... 

Muscle relaxants 5,785 14.8 4,112 - 7,458 

Carisoprodol 2,038 21.1 1,197 - 2,879 

Cyclobenzaprine 2,784 22.7 1,545 - 4,022 

Miscellaneous CNS agents ... ... ... - ... 

RESPIRATORY AGENTS 7,662 15.4 5,345 - 9,979 

Antihistamines 1,650 20.7 980 - 2,320 

Bronchodilators ... ... ... - ... 

Decongestants ... 58.6 ... - ... 

Expectorants 474 42.6 79 - 869 

Upper respiratory combinations 4,207 22.4 2,359 - 6,056 

Respiratory agents NTA 1,244 35.1 388 - 2,100 

CARDIOVASCULAR AGENTS 5,814 17.8 3,788 - 7,840 

Antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting 912 28.2 408 - 1,416 

Beta-adrenergic blocking agents 1,916 27.4 885 - 2,947 

Calcium channel blocking agents 193 38.9 46 - 341 

Diuretics 539 41.4 102 - 976 

Cardiovascular agents NTA 3,024 18.6 1,922 - 4,126 

1 The classification of drugs used in DAWN is derived from the Multum Lexicon, © 2007, Multum Information Services, Inc. The 

classification was modified to meet DAWN’s unique requirements (2007). The Multum Licensing Agreement governing use of the 

Lexicon can be found on the Internet at http://www.multum.com. 

2 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

3 Three dots (...) indicate that an estimate with an RSE greater than 50% or an estimate less than 30 has been suppressed. 

4 This column denotes statistically significant (p < 0.05) increases or decreases between estimates for the periods shown. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table 17 

Suicide attempts, by patient and visit characteristics: 2005 

Patient characteristics Estimated 

visits1,2 Visit characteristics Estimated visits 1,2

Total drug-related ED visits, suicide 

attempts 151,568 

Gender Number of drugs involved 

Male 58,775 Single drug 58,541 

Female 92,682 Multiple drugs 93,027 

Unknown ... 

Age Disposition 

0-5 years ... Treated and released 28,662 

6-11 years ... Discharged home 21,950 

12-17 years 17,869 Released to police/jail 3,377 

18-20 years 13,763 Referred to detox/treatment 3,335 

21-24 years 14,989 Admitted to this hospital 74,595 

25-29 years 18,761 ICU/critical care 28,297 

30-34 years 14,074 Surgery ... 

35-44 years 39,140 Chemical dependency/detox 105 

45-54 years 22,057 Psychiatric unit 24,395 

55-64 years 6,745 Other inpatient unit 21,691 

65 years and older 4,079 Other disposition 48,311 

Unknown ... Transferred 41,846 

Race/ethnicity Left against medical advice ... 

White 89,172 Died ... 

Black 26,229 Other ... 

Hispanic 13,353 Not documented 1,842 

Race/ethnicity not tabulated above 

(NTA) 2,132 

Unknown 20,682 

1 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

2 Three dots (...) indicate that an estimate with an RSE greater than 50% or an estimate less than 30 has been suppressed. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table 19 

Seeking detox: 2005 

Drug category and selected drugs1 Estimated 

visits2,3,4

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower 

bound - Upper bound 

Total drug-related ED visits, seeking detox 126,226 12.0 96,495 - 155,957 

Major substance of abuse 

Alcohol 47,494 14.0 34,502 - 60,485 

Alcohol in combination 47,154 14.0 34,194 - 60,114 

Alcohol alone ... ... ... - ... 

Non-alcohol illicits 101,244 13.1 75,203 - 127,286 

Cocaine 56,061 11.3 43,647 - 68,475 

Heroin 40,895 14.3 29,451 - 52,340 

Marijuana 22,486 25.0 11,462 - 33,511 

Stimulants 15,402 47.2 1,149 - 29,656 

Amphetamines ... 63.1 ... - ... 

Methamphetamine ... 50.7 ... - ... 

MDMA (Ecstasy) 511 34.1 170 - 853 

GHB ... ... ... - ... 

Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) ... ... ... - ... 

Ketamine ... ... ... - ... 

LSD ... ... ... - ... 

PCP 729 45.1 85 - 1,373 

Miscellaneous hallucinogens ... ... ... - ... 

Inhalants ... ... ... - ... 

Combinations not tabulated above (NTA) 191 40.0 41 - 340 

1 The classification of drugs used in DAWN is derived from the Multum Lexicon, © 2007, Multum Information Services, Inc. The 

classification was modified to meet DAWN’s unique requirements (2007). The Multum Licensing Agreement governing use of the 

Lexicon can be found on the Internet at http://www.multum.com. 

2 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

3 Estimates are all expressed in visits. Visits cannot be summed across drugs because drug-related visits often involve multiple drugs. 

4 Three dots (...) indicate that an estimate with an RSE greater than 50% or an estimate less than 30 has been suppressed. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table 20 

Seeking detox, by patient and visit characteristics: 2005 

Patient characteristics Estimated 

visits1,2 Visit characteristics Estimated visits 1,2

Total drug-related ED visits, 

seeking detox 126,226 

Gender Number of drugs involved 

Male 82,539 Single drug 46,006 

Female 43,643 Multiple drugs 80,220 

Unknown ... 

Age Disposition 

0-5 years ... Treated and released 64,598 

6-11 years ... Discharged home 28,247 

12-17 years 1,776 Released to police/jail 907 

18-20 years 9,500 Referred to detox/treatment 35,444 

21-24 years 16,073 Admitted to this hospital 42,582 

25-29 years 17,345 ICU/critical care 185 

30-34 years 16,421 Surgery ... 

35-44 years 38,291 Chemical dependency/detox 27,664 

45-54 years 22,584 Psychiatric unit 7,877 

55-64 years 2,989 Other inpatient unit 6,852 

65 years and older 1,176 Other disposition 19,046 

Unknown ... Transferred 12,752 

Race/ethnicity Left against medical advice 2,364 

White 71,147 Died ... 

Black 27,105 Other 2,328 

Hispanic 9,399 Not documented 1,602 

Race/ethnicity not tabulated above 

(NTA) 790 

Unknown 17,786 

1 These are estimates of ED visits based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the

United States. 

2 Three dots (...) indicate that an estimate with an RSE greater than 50% or an estimate less than 30 has been suppressed. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table C2 

Drug-related ED visits, by type of case: 2005 

Type of case Unweighted 

sample data 

Weighted 

estimates1

Relative 

standard 

error (RSE) 

95% Confidence interval 

Lower bound - Upper bound 

Drug-related ED visits 

Suicide attempt 11,523 151,568 8.0 127,715 - 175,421 

Seeking detox 22,166 126,226 12.0 96,495 - 155,957 

Alcohol only (age < 21) 9,636 109,174 11.2 85,281 - 133,068 

Adverse reaction 88,278 1,250,377 11.5 969,563 - 1,531,191 

Overmedication 23,279 290,627 7.6 247,216 - 334,039 

Malicious poisoning 697 6,527 16.7 4,392 - 8,662 

Accidental ingestion 3,866 56,517 9.2 46,285 - 66,750 

Other 108,683 1,018,009 13.4 750,423 - 1,285,594 

Total drug-related ED visits 268,128 3,009,025 7.6 2,560,019 - 3,458,031 

Drugs2

Suicide attempt 24,391 318,526 7.5 271,423 - 365,629 

Seeking detox 45,057 253,213 13.8 184,611 - 321,815 

Alcohol only (age < 21) 9,636 109,174 11.2 85,281 - 133,068 

Adverse reaction 111,218 1,597,947 12.3 1,214,031 - 1,981,863 

Overmedication 40,048 504,041 8.3 422,223 - 585,860 

Malicious poisoning 1,239 12,998 17.6 8,502 - 17,494 

Accidental ingestion 4,997 77,042 10.1 61,762 - 92,322 

Other 183,834 1,751,514 12.4 1,326,667 - 2,176,360 

Drugs in all drug-related ED 

visits 420,420 4,624,455 7.7 3,922,142 - 5,326,768 

1 These are estimates based on a representative sample of non-Federal, short-stay hospitals with 24-hour EDs in the United States. 

2 These are estimates of drugs. A single ED visit may involve multiple drugs. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2005 (03/2008 update). 
Table C5 

Population by age and gender: 20051

Gender and age Total United States Males Females 

Total 296,410,404 145,999,746 150,410,658 

0-5 years 24,211,671 12,381,683 11,829,988 

6-11 years 23,767,612 12,160,248 11,607,364 

12-17 years 25,490,701 13,059,495 12,431,206 

18-20 years 12,450,315 6,400,184 6,050,131 

21-24 years 16,856,810 8,702,127 8,154,683 

25-29 years 20,065,702 10,268,169 9,797,533 

30-34 years 20,077,210 10,153,091 9,924,119 

35-44 years 43,862,464 21,940,039 21,922,425 

45-54 years 42,482,265 20,895,355 21,586,910 

55-65 years 30,355,541 14,626,718 15,728,823 

65 years and older 36,790,113 15,412,637 21,377,476 

1 Population estimates for 2005, as of July 2006, from U.S. Census Bureau County Population Dataset NST-EST2005-ALLDATA (see 

http://www.census.gov/popest/national/files/NST_EST2005_ALLDATA.csv).