# Illicit Drug Use: Dependence and Global Health Impact > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/illicit-drug-use-dependence-global-burden/ > **Published:** 2019-12-10T14:25:49-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-10-06T21:54:52-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore illicit drug use dependence and its contributions to the global burden of disease, including cannabis, opioids, cocaine, and amphetamines. --- In 2009, an estimated 149–271 million people worldwide used illicit drugs. 125–203 million were cannabis users. These numbers likely undercount actual illicit drug use because of the illegality of many illicit drugs. This paper summarizes the prevalence and health consequences of use for some of the most commonly used drugs: - Amphetamines - Cocaine - Opioids - Cannabis. [**Drugs with potential for dependence** Opioids,](https://medium.com/plans?dimension=post_audio_button&postId=a80561a3b969&source=upgrade_membership---post_audio_button----------------------------------)cocaine, and amphetamines all have high potential for dependence. Due to unsafe injection practices, these drugs are associated with mental disorders, suicide, and the potential for infections. Cannabis presents a different problem from that of heroin, opioids, and amphetamines, because of its low mortality rate compared to the other three drugs. However, the prevalence of [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) makes it a critical area of study because of its association with dependence and mental disorders. **Difficulties in reported drug use **Illicit drug use is more prevalent in higher income countries, but only a portion of illicit drug users become dependent. However, the criminalization of illicit drugs makes it difficult to collect high quality data on drug use. In the United States, the increase in [cannabis legalization](https://cedclinic.com/the-forgotten-history-of-hemp-in-america/) since 2009 has been accompanied by slightly higher reported rates of [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/). This may not reflect an actual increase in use, but rather just an increase in reported use. **Questions remain about drug use **Many questions still remain given the evidence available. For example, how much does criminalization of these drugs change their use? And how many users eventually become dependent? Decriminalization of drugs could provide the avenue to collect better data to make more informed policies regarding drug regulations. **Concerned about [cannabis dependence](https://cedclinic.com/ptsd-cannabis-dependence-veterans-social-support/)? **To learn how to prevent or manage your [cannabis dependence](https://cedclinic.com/ptsd-cannabis-dependence-veterans-social-support/), book an appointment with our [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) doctors through our virtual booking link or by giving us a call (617–500–3595). Dr. Caplan and his team at The CED Clinic in Needham, MA are available to guide and support you! [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Cannabis use, subsequent other illicit drug use and drug use disorders: A 16-year follow-up study among Swedish adults](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-other-illicit-drugs-16-year-study/) This study explores the progression from cannabis use to other illicit drug use and related disorders over 16 years in Swedish adults. [Read Study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-other-illicit-drugs-16-year-study/) [Self-reported Illicit Drug Use Among Norwegian University and College Students](https://cedclinic.com/self-reported-illicit-drug-use-norwegian-students-age-gender-geography/) An analysis of illicit drug use patterns among Norwegian students, highlighting associations with demographic factors. [Explore Findings](https://cedclinic.com/self-reported-illicit-drug-use-norwegian-students-age-gender-geography/) [Association of Cannabis Use Disorder Versus Other Substance Use Disorders](https://cedclinic.com/psychiatric-outcomes-cannabis-use-disorder-comparison/) A comparative review of [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/) and other substance use disorders, focusing on psychiatric implications. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/psychiatric-outcomes-cannabis-use-disorder-comparison/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Illicit%20Drug%20Use%3A%20Dependence%20and%20Global%20Health%20Impact&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fillicit-drug-use-dependence-global-burden%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fillicit-drug-use-dependence-global-burden%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Illicit%20Drug%20Use%3A%20Dependence%20and%20Global%20Health%20Impact%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fillicit-drug-use-dependence-global-burden%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).