An Overview of Substance Use Among New York State's Upper Income Householders

Abstract

A 1981 survey of substance use among household residents in New York State found rates of use consistently higher among the upper income group ($50,000 and over) than among groups with lower incomes. In addition, measures of the seriousness of the problem also revealed higher rates among the upper income group than the other income groups. In terms of preferences for treatment, the upper income group substance user clearly opts for the private professional. The findings generally suggest that there are few qualitative differences in patterns of substance-taking among the income groups, and it might be hypothesized that the availability of disposable income in the upper income group and some situational factors may facilitate that group's substance-using behavior.

Social Behavior, Public Policy, and Nonharmful Drug Use

“…Perhaps the only effort to determine the dimensions of drug use among a substantial sample of the upper classes was a statewide survey in New York (Frank et al 1984). Families with an income of $50,000 per year or more reported more illicit dmg use than any other income group.…”