28 Intriguing Drug Addiction Statistics [2024 Update]

1. 1 in every 10 Americans is addicted.

(Drug Free)

To answer the question of how many addicts are in the US – 23.5 million Americans are addicted to either alcohol or drugs.

That’s about 1 in 10 citizens, over the age of 12. To put the numbers into perspective, that’s roughly the population of Texas. This means that there’s a treatment gap of about 20 million Americans.

2. Only 11% of addicts receive treatment.

(Drug Free)

Drug addiction in America statistics show that only 11% of addicts receive treatment. This is due to numerous factors.

Many addicts believe that they can manage on their own until it’s too late. Then they feel too ashamed to ask for help.

On the other side, there’s the health system, which has been slow to recognize addiction problems and respond appropriately.

The cost and lack of insurance coverage is also a huge reason as to why addicts decide not to pursue treatment.

3. Deaths due to drug overdose have more than tripled since 1990.

(Addiction Center)

Whether it is alcohol, opioids, or cocaine, the number of Americans who have died from a drug overdose more than tripled since 1990.

Drug addiction rates in the US are growing, especially the illicit ones since cannabis is still considered illegal in many states.

4. According to addiction rates in America, about 841,000 US citizens have died from a drug overdose since 1999.

(CDC)

More than 70,000 drug-related deaths were recorded in the US in 2019. 70.6% of all drug overdose deaths involved an opioid, be it a prescribed one, or heroin, or fentanyl.

Drug overdose is also a leading cause of injury-related deaths in the US.

5. Annual costs of substance abuse reached over $700 billions.

(Very Well Mind)

Drug abuse amounts to more than $740 billion per year and is growing, according to drug addiction facts and statistics. These costs are related to crime, lost work productivity, and health care.

Tobacco abuse holds the first place with costs of $300 billion, followed by alcohol with $249 billion, then illegal drug abuse with $193 billion, and eventually prescribed opioids — $78.5 billion. 

Still, there are other costs to consider, that are far beyond the financial. There’s homelessness, divorce, effects on unborn children, deaths, and the spread of diseases such as Hepatitis C or HIV.

6. Numbers of opioid-related deaths are the highest in West Virginia.

(Drug Abuse)

According to addiction rates by state, West Virginia has the highest number of opioid-related deaths, with 42,4 deaths per 100,000 people.

Maryland follows second, with 33.7 deaths, New Hampshire with 33.1, Ohio with 29.6, and Massachusetts with 29.3 deaths per 100,000 people.

These addiction statistics by state show the number of deaths caused by non-prescribed opioid use.

7. Among the US states, Missouri has the worst drug problems.

(The Street)

A personal finance site that ranks the US states in terms of their drug issues found the state of Missouri leading the list, with the most number of drug arrests per capita. Under the drug addiction category, the state sits at number 18.  

8. Alcohol, cocaine, and hallucinogens are among the most used drugs in the US.

(Vertava Health)

The list continues with heroin, inhalants, marijuana, methamphetamine, MDMA, prescription opioids, sedatives, stimulants, tobacco, and tranquilizers. Other commonly abused drugs in the US include bath salts and anabolic steroids.

9. About 14.4 million adults ages 18 or older in the US have Alcohol Use Disorder.

(NIAAA)

This number represents 9.2 million men and 5.3 million women. About 7.9% of adults with AUD have received treatment, and this number includes 0.8% males and 7.7% females.

10. Excessive alcohol use causes about 95,000 deaths in the US yearly. 

(CDC)

Statistics on alcoholism state that’s 261 deaths per day. According to CDC addiction statistics, when it comes to alcohol, it causes 1 in 10 deaths among those aged 20 to 64 years.

Excessive alcohol use includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, alcohol use by pregnant women, and anyone younger than 21. When it comes to binge drinking, 37 million US adults binge drink about once a week. 

11. Long-term marijuana abuse leaves consequences.

(Drug Rehab)

Many believe that marijuana is not as dangerous, and that’s exactly what places it on the list of most commonly used drugs in the US.

Nevertheless, marijuana is a mind-altering drug, and as such, it should be taken with caution. Long-term abuse can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, low blood pressure, and severe paranoia, which might result in suicide.

12. Marijuana use disorder increased from 5.65% to 7.1% in states that legalized it.

(Addiction Center)

At first glance, this is normal, since legalization enabled people to consume it, but increased use still leads to addiction in marijuana users ages 26 and higher. About 30% of regular marijuana users have a marijuana use disorder.