Declining Perceptions of Harm from Substance Use

The perceptions of harm associated with substance use have been steadily declining for most substances since 2015. Across several measures, the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shows consistent declines in perceived harm associated with using cigarettes, heroin, LSD, and cocaine from 2015 to 2023. Perceptions of harm related to marijuana are also down considerably since 2015, but with slightly more variability from year to year.