Drug abuse in Michigan
Michigan has a population of 10,050,811 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 1,810,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 18.01% of the population. 1,750,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 2,317,000 in the past year. The report also found that 180,000 Michigan residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 87,000 had abused meth, and 297,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 47,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Michigan totaled 310,000 people.
Alcohol abuse in Michigan
Alcohol misuse was also reported in Michigan with 4,598,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 2,180,000 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 3,695,000 people.
Drug overdose deaths Michigan
In 2021, Michigan saw a total of 2940 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. This puts the overdose death toll in Michigan at 29.3 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 1745 or 17.4 per 100,000 people.
Substance use disorder treatment in Michigan
The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Michigan and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 1,619,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 978,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 235,000 people were recorded as having an opioid use disorder including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders. There are also many who have been diagnosed with or reported a substance, illicit drug, or alcohol use disorder that require rehab treatment and are not receiving it. The report found that 718 people in Michigan needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 988,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 1,459,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.
Local government assistance in Michigan
Through the BH Recovery & Substance Abuse division under the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the state of Michigan offers substance abuse treatment to individuals and community members.
They carry out projects to help prevent alcohol and drug abuse, reduce underage drinking and offer Parent Awareness Programs to stop the cycle of addiction before it starts.
Through the Office of Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (OROSC), the state also assists with inpatient health plans, overseas rehabilitation, and drug treatment facilities. It also offers a directory of treatment service providers in the area.
You can join self-help groups from their website to help with your treatment and recovery. Michigan State also has a recovery month that aims to promote the message of recovery from alcohol and substance abuse and the social benefits of its treatment.
If you, a friend, or a family member needs treatment in Michigan, you can call 800-834-3393 to get help in your county.