National Household Survey on Drug Abuse/Age of First Use
Public Domain (SAMHSA/OAS). 1999
Age of First Use Scale:
How old were you the first time you…
Write how old you were the first time you…
If you have never in your life…Please mark the box.
1. How old were you the first time you smoked a cigarette‚ even one or two puffs?
The first time I smoked a cigarette‚ I was _____ years old
I have never smoked a cigarette in my life
2. How old were you the first time you had a drink of any alcoholic beverage? (Do not
include sips from another person’s drink.)
The first time I drank an alcoholic beverage‚ I was _____ years old
I have never drunk an alcoholic beverage in my life
3. How old were you the first time you used marijuana or hashish?
The first time I used marijuana or hashish‚ I was _____ years old
I have never used marijuana or hashish in my life
4. How old were you the first time you used cocaine‚ in any form?
The first time I used “crack‚” I was _____ years old
I have never used “crack” in my life
5. How old were you the first time you used heroin?
The first time I used heroin‚ I was _____ years old
I have never used heroin in my life
6. How old were you the first time you used LSD‚ PCP‚ or any other hallucinogen?
The first time I used a hallucinogen‚ I was _____ years old
I have never used any hallucinogen in my life
7. How old were you the first time you used any inhalant for kicks or to get high?
The first time I used any inhalant for kicks or to get high‚ I was _____ years old
I have never used any inhalant for kicks or to get high in my life
This instrument can be found on pages 27-28 of Core Measures Initiative Phase I Recommendations‚ Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Available online at:http://vvv.dmhas.state.ct.us/sig/pdf/uconn/core_measures.pdf
Research Triangle Institute
P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park‚ NC 27709-2194
(919) 485-2666
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (1999). Summary of Findings from the 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Office of Applied Studies‚ DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 99-3328. Rockville‚ MD.