Around 15.1 Crore adults consume alcohol in India: Government

A national survey cited by the Centre found around 15.1 crore adults consume alcohol, making it India's most widely used substance. The government said it is strengthening de-addiction services, expanding treatment infrastructure and implementing nationwide awareness initiatives under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

New Delhi: Minister of State (MoS) for Social Justice and Empowerment, B.L. Verma, said on Thursday that a national survey has shown that alcohol remains the most widely consumed substance among adults (between 18 and 75 years), with nearly 15.10 crore users.

Verma, in a written reply in Lok Sabha, added that alcohol users are followed by 2.90 crore cannabis users, 1.90 crore opioid users, 1.10 crore sedative users and 60 lakh inhalant users in this category.

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“The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is continuously strengthening the implementation of Centrally-sponsored schemes to ensure timely financial assistance, enhanced transparency and improved delivery of services in the areas of drug demand reduction, rehabilitation and social justice,” the MoS said.

“The Ministry has also introduced measures to simplify fund release procedures, expand de-addiction infrastructure and enhance access to rehabilitation services across the country,” Verma added.

The MoS said that the Department has established a stringent monitoring mechanism to ensure timely processing of proposals and release of funds under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

“A revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also been introduced to simplify the release of grants to partner NGOs implementing schemes such as the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) and the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) by reducing documentation requirements and improving administrative efficiency,” he added.

Verma said that the Ministry is implementing a comprehensive and evidence-based strategy under the NAPDDR. The strategy is based on the findings of the first National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India conducted by National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) at AIIMS in New Delhi.

Among children and adolescents (between 10 to 17 years), the survey estimates around 40 lakh opioid users, 30 lakh alcohol users, 30 lakh inhalant users and 20 lakh cannabis users, underscoring the need for sustained awareness, prevention and treatment initiatives.

The written reply said that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched on August 15, 2020, and expanded to all districts in August 2023, has emerged as one of the world’s largest awareness campaigns against substance abuse.

Till date, the campaign has reached more than 29.68 crore citizens, including over 11.43 crore youth and 8.05 crore women, through nationwide awareness activities.

More than 1.17 lakh Nasha Mukti Mitras have also joined the campaign to strengthen community participation. In addition, more than 28.29 lakh people have been treated and rehabilitated, besides undertaking outreach activities in 21.73 lakh educational institutions across the country.

MoS Verma said that to improve accessibility to treatment services, the Ministry has launched the NMBA 2.0 Mobile Application, enabling citizens to locate the nearest de-addiction centre.

“During 2024-25, 55 new District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) were approved in GAP districts, while 21 additional DDACs were established during 2025-26, further expanding the country’s de-addiction infrastructure,” he added.