What are the Common Methods Used in Epidemiological Studies of Substance Abuse?
Epidemiologists employ various methods to study substance abuse, including:
Surveys: Large-scale surveys such as the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provide valuable data on substance use patterns. Cohort Studies: These studies follow a group of individuals over time to assess the development of substance use disorders and related outcomes. Case-Control Studies: These studies compare individuals with substance use disorders to those without, helping to identify risk factors. Cross-Sectional Studies: These studies assess the prevalence of substance use disorders at a single point in time.
