Drug abuse facts for Mississippi

Mississippi has a population of 2,949,965 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 399,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 13.53% of the population. 364,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 462,000 in the past year. The report also found that 61,000 Mississippi residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 75,000 had abused meth, and 113,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 39,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Mississippi totaled 124,000 people.

Alcohol abuse in Mississippi

Alcohol misuse was also reported in Mississippi with 1,020,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 562,000 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 1,256,000 people.

Overdose deaths in Mississippi

In 2021, Mississippi saw a total of 771 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. The total number of alcohol related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 529 people.

Addiction treatment statistics in Mississippi

The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Mississippi and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 474,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 273,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 106,000 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 215 people in Mississippi needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 283,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 416,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.

What treatment options are available in Mississippi?

Mississippi rehab centers offer different treatment options focusing on your addiction recovery and the underlying cause. You must know about all these treatment options to choose the right program.

Most Mississippi rehab centers provide specialized programs for teens, seniors, veterans, and pregnant women dealing with addiction. Because addiction is an illness, nobody should be denied these services. The right treatment will help you manage your addiction and find lasting coping mechanisms for your future. 

Here are the treatment options available in Mississippi you can consider: 

Different treatment methods are used at different stages of recovery according to your treatment plan so you can focus on getting better.

Rehab for opioid addiction in Mississippi

Mississippi rehab centers also offer opioid addiction treatment services. Addiction to opioids has adverse health and mental effects, including overdose, which can lead to death. Opioids are mainly prescribed to patients to help treat pain, but the body can become dependent on the drug over time. 

If you need help overcoming opioid addiction, here are Mississippi rehab centers that provide opioid addiction treatment services: 

  • New season treatment center

  • Biloxi treatment center

  • Jackson comprehensive TRT LLC

  • Born Free new beginnings

  • Communicare haven house

  • Fair Park Counseling

  • Region 8 mental health services

  • Freedom health care

  • Gulf Coast veterans health care system

  • Meridian treatment center

  • A second chance

How do I pay for rehab in Mississippi?

If you don’t have insurance, rehab treatment can be very costly. Most rehab centers accept self-pay options, which include cash or credit cards. While it may be convenient for short-term programs, the costs get higher if you need long-term care.

Specific services are covered by insurance, so if you qualify, you should apply for state-funded insurance programs like Medicaid or private insurance covers to help you pay for rehab. 

Other options to raise money for rehab include seeking help from friends and family or on crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe. Rehab treatment is an investment for your future. So you shouldn’t spare any time to get help as soon as possible.

Government assistance for addiction treatment in Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Health and Social Services is committed to helping its residents with mental health issues and substance or drug addiction problems.

The department is responsible for alcohol and drug prevention in Mississippi. They also provide treatment services, awareness programs, and access to Medicaid to help Mississippi resident gets the help they need. 

This department is successful because they partner with state-operated facilities, community mental health centers, and locally based programs to provide quality care to individuals suffering from addiction.

Medicaid in Mississippi offers qualified individuals several healthcare benefits. You can cover some outpatient and inpatient hospital care costs with Medicaid insurance. There are also several initiatives to help addicts in Mississippi, like stand up, which aims to reduce the opioid crisis and create a healthier future. 



The department also has a tobacco quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, where you can seek help overcoming tobacco addiction.