Drug use and substance use disorders in Brazil and the world: Epidemiological data

Abstract

This chapter seeks to outline a brief scenario on the consumption of the main substances used in Brazil and its comparison with the world scenario. The most consumed substances in Brazil and worldwide are licit ones: alcohol and tobacco. Marijuana ranks third among the most consumed and first among illicit substances. The increase in non-prescribed medication use, such as painkillers, sedatives, and tranquilizers, is also drawing the attention of healthcare organizations around the world. Moreover, in Brazil, tobacco is the first and alcohol is the fifth most contributive risk factor for Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY), a standard measure to health-related consequences of drug use.