Cochrane systematic reviews in the field of addiction: What’s there and what should be

Laura Amatoa, Marina Davoli, Simona Vecchi, Rober Ali, Michael Farrell, Fabrizio Faggiano,
David Foxcroft, Walter Ling, Silvia Minozzi, Zhao Chengzheng
According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of alcohol dependence in the European Union is estimated to be between 3.8% (Germany) and 12.2% (Poland) of the adult population, whereas the prevalence is estimated to be 7.7% and 9.3% in the United States and Canada, respectively (WHO, 2005).

The most recent figures for illicit drug use indicate that the prevalence of opioid abuse among persons 15–64 years of age is approximately
0.5% in most Western countries (i.e. EU, USA, Canada, and Australia) (UNODC World Drug Report, 2009). The prevalence of cocaine abuse is estimated to be roughly 1% in the EU and Australia, but over 2% in Canada and approximately 3% in the US. The prevalence of amphetamine abuse is generally lower than 1%, but cannabis use rates are over 10% in several European countries, Canada, the US, and Australia (UNODC World Drug Report, 2009). 1-s2.0-S0376871610002905-main.pdf