* Heroin use for the first time in the past year (also known as past year initiation).
** Due to methodological changes in 2021, caution should be used when comparing figures for 2021 with previous years. Please see source for further information on methodology.
Figures prior to 2021 were taken from previous reports.
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Individuals starting to consume heroin in the U.S. 2002-2022, by age
In 2022, around ** thousand individuals in the United States aged 26 years and older started to consume heroin for the first time in the past year. This statistic shows the number of individuals starting to consume heroin in the United States in the past year. from 2002 to 2022, by age.
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SAMHSA. (November 13, 2023). Number of individuals taking heroin for the first time in the United States from 2002 to 2022, by age* (in 1,000) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 05, 2026, from /statistics/476197/number-of-individulas-starting-to-consume-heroin-by-age-us/
SAMHSA. "Number of individuals taking heroin for the first time in the United States from 2002 to 2022, by age* (in 1,000)." Chart. November 13, 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 05, 2026. /statistics/476197/number-of-individulas-starting-to-consume-heroin-by-age-us/
SAMHSA. (2023). Number of individuals taking heroin for the first time in the United States from 2002 to 2022, by age* (in 1,000). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 05, 2026. /statistics/476197/number-of-individulas-starting-to-consume-heroin-by-age-us/
SAMHSA. "Number of Individuals Taking Heroin for The First Time in The United States from 2002 to 2022, by Age* (in 1,000)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 13 Nov 2023, /statistics/476197/number-of-individulas-starting-to-consume-heroin-by-age-us/
SAMHSA, Number of individuals taking heroin for the first time in the United States from 2002 to 2022, by age* (in 1,000) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/476197/number-of-individulas-starting-to-consume-heroin-by-age-us/ (last visited August 05, 2026)
Number of individuals taking heroin for the first time in the United States from 2002 to 2022, by age* (in 1,000) [Graph], SAMHSA, November 13, 2023. [Online]. Available: /statistics/476197/number-of-individulas-starting-to-consume-heroin-by-age-us/
