A study based on nationally representative data from the 2020 U.S. National Alcohol Survey finds that one in three adults has experienced secondhand harms from someone else’s drinking—ranging from family conflict to physical injury. While alcohol remains the most common source of harm, nearly 1 in 7 people report harms from others’ drug use, including cannabis, opioids, and other drugs. These harms frequently overlap across substances and are more likely to affect women, people with a family history of alcohol problems, and individuals from certain racial and ethnic groups. The study highlights the need for population-wide strategies that address the ripple effects of substance use—not only for users, but also for those around them.
Key Takeaways
- 34% of adults reported experiencing harm from someone else’s alcohol use, while 14% reported secondhand harms from drugs (5.5% cannabis, 7.6% opioids, 8.3% other drugs).
- Nearly 30% of those harmed by someone’s drinking also reported harms from another substance, underscoring the interconnected nature of substance-related harm.
- Who Is Affected:
- Women were more likely to report harms from alcohol and other drugs.
- Black respondents were more likely to report secondhand harms from cannabis.
- White and American Indian/Alaska Native respondents reported more harms from alcohol and opioids, respectively.
- Separated, divorced, or widowed individuals were more likely to report opioid-related harms.
- Those with a family history of alcohol problems were more likely to experience secondhand harm from all substance types.
- People who used cannabis frequently were more likely to report harms from others’ alcohol and opioid use—but less likely to report harms from others’ cannabis use.
These findings emphasize the need for public health approaches that address not just individual substance use, but also the broader social consequences impacting families and communities.
Substance use doesn’t just affect the person using—it ripples outward, impacting families, relationships, and entire communities. Our findings show that secondhand harms from alcohol and drugs are both common and interconnected. Addressing these harms requires a broader public health response that accounts for the many people affected—not just those who use substances.
–Erika Rosen, former ARG postdoctoral fellow and associate scientist
Read the full study: Erika M. Rosen, William C. Kerr, Deidre Patterson, Tom K. Greenfield, Stefany Ramos, and Katherine J. Karriker-Jaffe. (2024). Prevalence and Correlates of Alcohol and Drug Harms to Others: Findings From the 2020 U.S. National Alcohol Survey. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 2024 85:6 , 794-803
