Facts and figures

The bare facts

We know what can and needs to be done to help reduce the burden of psychoactive substance use. Therefore, WHO is committed to assisting countries in the development, organization, monitoring and evaluation of treatment and other services.

• 76.3 million persons with alcohol use disorders worldwide.
• At least 15.3 million persons who have drug use disorders.
• Injecting drug use reported in 136 countries, of which 93 report HIV infection among this population.
• For every dollar invested in drug treatment, 7 dollars are saved in health and social costs.

Facts and figures

For more specific information on alcohol and other psychoactive substances, please click the appropriate link below:

The global burden

Global Information System on Alcohol and Health
Country data
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Follow the process towards a draft global strategy on harmful use alcohol.
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Guidelines for the Psychosocially Assisted Pharmacological Treatment of Opioid Dependence
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Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004

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Global Status Report: Alcohol Policy

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Neuroscience of Psychoactive Substance Use and Dependence

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