Only 8 percent of individuals identified as drug abusers and fewer than 40 percent of those diagnosed with drug dependence have ever received any form of intervention or treatment, according to the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).

Published in the May 2007 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, the results show that rates of drug abuse and dependence are generally higher among certain groups, including men, individuals aged 18 to 44 years and people who have never married. The study also confirmed that the onset of addiction typically occurs during late adolescence or early adulthood.

Particularly high rates of drug use disorders can be found among individuals who are 30 to 44 years old. The study's authors point out that this may very well lead to increases in drug abuse and addiction rates of older adults as that group ages.

The NESARC survey findings are consistent with the Annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The SAMSHA survey points to a huge denial gap - among individuals with drug or alcohol dependence or abuse who have not received treatment, more than 94 percent do not feel they need treatment.

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(Source: http://www.nih.gov)