Drug abuse in Missouri
Missouri has a population of 6,168,187 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 924,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 14.98% of the population. 921,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 1,158,000 in the past year. The report also found that 127,000 Missouri residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 115,000 had abused meth, and 248,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 64,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Missouri totaled 261,000 people.
Alcohol in Missouri
Alcohol misuse was also reported in Missouri with 2,647,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 1,261,000 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 2,283,000 people.
Overdose deaths in Missouri
In 2021, Missouri saw a total of 2062 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 Missouri at 33.4 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 919 or 14.9 per 100,000 people.
Addiction treatment in Missouri
The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Missouri and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 1,064,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 642,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 157,000 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 501 people in Missouri needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 617,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 970,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.
Government assistance for addiction treatment in Missouri
The Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) under the Missouri Department of Mental Health offers programs to help people with substance use disorder and mental illness.
They are committed to helping teens, families, senior citizens, and other community members to beat addiction in a safe and substance-free environment. Some Treatment services that DBH provides in Missouri include self-help groups, education, family counseling, and therapy.
You can reach the Division of Behavioral Health at 573-751-4942 or 573-751-8017.