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How can data be accessed on the SAMHDA site?

There are three ways to access data. Not all ways are available for all study files.

Public-use Microdata Files

Public-use files (PUFs) are microdata files constructed from the restricted-use data files by treating the data with confidentiality protections. The exact confidentiality protections vary by data program and more information on specific data treatments is located in the corresponding codebook. PUFs are publicly available and can be downloaded on SAMHDA by study and year by selecting Data > Browse Studies or Data > Browse Series from the toolbar.

Public-use Data Analysis System (PDAS)

PDAS is now available and ready for use. PDAS is a user-friendly online analysis tool for users to analyze public-use data. This tool allows users to review study variables, run crosstab analyses, perform logistic regressions, and download the results of any analysis to CSV format. PDAS is populated with the PUFs and may not contain all variables of interest. No files need to be downloaded.

Restricted-use Data Analysis System (RDAS)

RDAS is an online tool for users to output custom crosstabs using pooled years of restricted-use data that pass built-in confidentiality restraints. It is similar to the publicly-accessible PDAS tool, except it is populated with restricted data, including certain geographic identifiers, like state. Single year estimates are not available through RDAS. Only the NSDUH data is currently available in RDAS.

RDAS contains most of the variables available on the full NSDUH restricted-use file (RUF). Some exceptions include individual weighting components and pair relationships. RDAS has data up to 2016 and as far back as 2002.

RDAS is available to all users and can be accessed anywhere in the world. RDAS data is restricted so users cannot view the actual microdata and it does not return results that fail to comply with SAMHSA's disclosure limitations.

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