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    UnitedRehabs

    Data Methodology

    How we collect, verify, and maintain addiction statistics

    Last updated: January 26, 2026

    Our Commitment to Accuracy

    United Rehabs is committed to providing the most accurate, up-to-date addiction statistics available. Every number on our platform is sourced from official government agencies and verified through rigorous quality assurance processes.

    Primary Data Sources

    We source data exclusively from official government agencies and recognized international organizations:

    🇺🇸 United States

    • • CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
    • • SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use
    • • DEA Diversion Control Division
    • • State Health Departments (all 51)

    🌍 International

    • • World Health Organization (WHO)
    • • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
    • • European Monitoring Centre for Drugs (EMCDDA)
    • • National Health Ministries (195 countries)

    🇬🇧 United Kingdom

    • • Office for National Statistics (ONS)
    • • Public Health England
    • • NHS Digital

    🇨🇦 🇦🇺 Other Countries

    • • Statistics Canada
    • • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
    • • National statistical agencies worldwide

    Verification Process

    Every data point undergoes a multi-step verification process:

    1

    Source Identification

    Data is collected only from official government publications, peer-reviewed reports, and recognized international organizations. We never use secondary sources or news reports as primary data.

    2

    Cross-Reference Validation

    Each statistic is cross-referenced against multiple sources where available. Discrepancies are flagged for manual review.

    3

    Manual Review

    High-traffic countries (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany) receive additional manual verification against original source documents.

    4

    SERP Validation

    We periodically validate our data against Google Search results to ensure our figures match publicly available official statistics.

    5

    Source Link Verification

    Every data point includes a working link to the original source document. Broken links are automatically detected and updated.

    Update Frequency

    Data TypeUpdate FrequencySource Release
    US Overdose DeathsMonthly (provisional), Annually (final)CDC NCHS releases ~6 months after period
    US State DataQuarterly reviewState agencies vary (3-12 month lag)
    International DataAnnuallyWHO/UNODC release annually
    Treatment FacilitiesContinuousVerified on submission + quarterly audit

    Note on Data Lag: Official statistics typically have a 6-18 month reporting delay. For example, final 2024 data may not be available until mid-2025. We always display the most recent verified data and clearly indicate the reporting period.

    Data Quality Indicators

    We use quality indicators to help users understand the reliability of each data point:

    Verified- Confirmed against official source document with working link
    Official Source- From government agency or international organization
    Estimated- Calculated from regional averages when country-specific data unavailable
    Provisional- Preliminary data subject to revision

    Known Limitations

    We believe in transparency about the limitations of addiction statistics:

    • Underreporting: Drug-related deaths may be underreported due to stigma, misclassification, or incomplete toxicology testing.
    • Methodology Differences: Countries use different definitions and reporting standards, making direct comparisons challenging.
    • Time Lag: Official data can be 6-18 months behind current reality due to verification processes.
    • Provisional vs. Final: Provisional data may be revised significantly when final figures are released.
    • Coverage Gaps: Some countries have limited or no official reporting systems for drug-related statistics.

    How to Cite Our Data

    When referencing data from United Rehabs, please cite the original source. Our data pages include direct links to source documents.

    Example Citation:

    "According to CDC National Center for Health Statistics (2024), the United States recorded 107,941 drug overdose deaths in 2022. Retrieved via United Rehabs (unitedrehabs.com) on [date]."

    For academic or policy research, we recommend citing the original government source directly. Our platform aggregates and presents this data but does not generate primary research.

    Report Data Errors

    We take data accuracy seriously. If you find an error or discrepancy:

    Report a Data Issue

    Email: data@unitedrehabs.com

    Please include:

    • The specific data point in question
    • The page URL where you found it
    • The correct figure with source citation
    • Link to the official source document

    We review all submissions within 48 hours and update verified corrections immediately.

    Our Verification Standards

    195

    Countries Covered

    51

    US States + DC

    100%

    Official Sources