Nationwide pattern of mental health and substance abuse problems

It's easy to assume that issues related to mental health and substance abuse are limited to only a few overcrowded, fast-paced locales. New York comes to mind, as does L.A., Miami, Boston, and Chicago. However, as an article in the current issue of Women's Health demonstrates, problems of this kind are hitting the rest of the nation just as hard.

The article cites a recent survey of more than 136,000 people over the age of 12, which was conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration. Heres a quick look at the findings:

TOBACCO USE
Highest: West Virginia (40.6 percent)
Lowest: Utah (22.1 percent)

MARIJUANA USE
Highest: Vermont (9.7 percent)
Lowest: Utah (4.3 percent)

ILLICIT DRUG USE
Highest: Rhode Island (11.2 percent)
Lowest: North Dakota (5.7 percent)

PAIN RELIEVER ABUSE
Highest: Oklahoma
Lowest: Hawaii, New Jersey, and South Dakota (3.9 percent each)

DRUG OR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE OR ABUSE
Highest: Washington D.C. (12.3 percent)
Lowest, New Jersey (7.5 percent)

SERIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS (AGES 18 AND UP)
Highest: Utah (14.4 percent
Lowest; Hawaii (8.8 percent)

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODE (AGES 18 AND UP)
Highest: Nevada (9.4 percent)
Lowest: Hawaii (5 percent)

UNDERAGE ALCOHOL USE
Highest: Vermont (38.3 percent)
Lowest: Utah (21.5 percent)

UNDERAGE BING DRINKING
Highest: North Dakota (28.5 percent)
Lowest: Georgia (15.2 percent)