What is the nature and scope of the alcohol and drug abuse problem in the United States today? For example, is this problem more significant today...

The best way to determine the scope of the drug and alcohol abuse problem in the United States is to look at nationwide trends or statistics.

By all indicators, drug abuse has increased. For example, illicit drug use rose 1.1 % (from 8.3 % to 9.4 %) from 2002 to 2013 among those aged 12 or older. The greatest increase is in marijuana use, as more than half of those who begin their drug habits start with marijuana as the drug of choice. Marijuana use has increased by 1.7 % (from 5.8 % to 7.5 %) from 2007 to 2013 among those aged 12 or older.

Alarmingly, drug abuse has increased in the 50-64 age group. From 2002 to 2013, drug abuse increased by 4.5 % in the 50-54 age group, by 4.7 % in the 55-59 age group, and by 2.8 % in the 60-64 age group.

In a positive development, alcohol abuse has decreased among those who are under-aged (12-20 years old). There was a 6.1 % decrease (from 28.8 % to 22.7 %) from 2002 to 2013. Binge drinking and heavy drinking also declined substantially among this age group, by 5.1 % and 2.5 % respectively.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse: Nationwide Trends.

As for the nature of the drug and alcohol abuse problem, we can look at statistics and trends across ethnic populations and gender. For example, alcohol abuse is higher among men than among women. In 2013, 10.8 million men and 5.8 million women were reported to have an AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder). An alcohol use disorder encompasses alcohol abuse which leads to harm to self and/or others.

Whites and Native Americans are at higher risk than any other ethnic group for AUDs (Alcohol Abuse Disorders). However, once alcohol dependence is factored in, Blacks and Hispanics are at higher risk. The figures are lowest for Asian-Americans. In the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, alcohol consumption was highest among whites (59.8 %) and lowest among Asian-Americans (38.0 %).

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Statistics and Facts.

Ethnicity and Health Disparities in Alcohol Research.

You can get more statistics from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health here.

Scroll down to click on links for statistics across gender, ethnic, and age groups. You will likely see that the problem of drug and alcohol abuse is significantly higher today than in the past.