Drug abuse statistics in Nebraska
Nebraska has a population of 1,963,692 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 225,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 11.46% of the population. 200,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 280,000 in the past year. The report also found that 30,000 Nebraska residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 33,000 had abused meth, and 55,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 14,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Nebraska totaled 55,000 people.
Alcohol abuse in Nebraska
Alcohol misuse was also reported in Nebraska with 924,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 458,000 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 684,000 people.
Overdose deaths in Nebraska
In 2021, Nebraska saw a total of 180 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 Nebraska at 9.2 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 356 or 18.1 per 100,000 people.
Addiction treatment statistics in Nebraska
The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Nebraska and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 303,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 221,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 48,000 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 122 people in Nebraska needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 205,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 252,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.
Government assistance for addiction treatment in Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is committed to the treatment and recovery of individuals dealing with drug and alcohol addiction.
Through the Division of Behavioral Health, the department offers crisis response and inpatient care services to help individuals get the help they need. If a resident of Nebraska doesn’t have insurance, they could be eligible for Division of Behavioral Health funding to access treatment.
In 2020, the State of Nebraska also accepted federal funding to expand Medicaid. Now more people can have health insurance and get treatment for their substance or drug addiction.
You can reach the Division of Behavioral Health at (402) 471-7860