Drug Use in Idaho
Idaho has a population of 2,001,619 people. The most recent data from the 2023-2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 241,000 people over the age of 12 had used illegal substances in the past month, around 12.04% of the population. 229,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 323,000 in the past year.
The report also found that 25,000 Idaho residents had used cocaine in the past year, 21,000 had used meth, and 56,000 had misused prescription pain medication. 4,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse, including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl, in Idaho totaled 56,000 people.
Alcohol Use in Idaho
Alcohol misuse was also reported in Idaho with 686,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 308,000 reporting binge drinking. The perceived risk of people over 12 years of age indulging in problematic alcohol use (5 or more drinks twice a week) in a month was 743,000 people.
Treatment Statistics in Idaho
The NSDUH report also recorded the total number of substance abuse disorders in Idaho and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 273,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 158,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 25,000 people were recorded as having an opioid use disorder, including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders.
The NSDUH report also measures the gap between the people who need substance use treatment and those who actually receive it. It found that 285,000 people in Idaho were classified as needing substance use treatment in the past year, 53,000 received substance use treatment, and 228,000 did not receive the treatment they were classified as needing.
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