Drug abuse in New Mexico

New Mexico has a population of 2,115,877 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 421,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 19.90% of the population. 382,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 474,000 in the past year. The report also found that 37,000 New Mexico residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 50,000 had abused meth, and 73,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 16,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in New Mexico totaled 76,000 people.

Alcohol abuse in New Mexico

Alcohol misuse was also reported in New Mexico with 890,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 453,000 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 918,000 people.

Overdose deaths in New Mexico

In 2021, New Mexico saw a total of 1002 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 1091 or 51.6 per 100,000 people.

Addiction treatment statistics in New Mexico

The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in New Mexico and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 448,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 270,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 76,000 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 224 people in New Mexico needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 259,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 401,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.

What treatment options are available in New Mexico?

Choosing the right facility will help you get the specific treatment you need for your addiction. They consider everything from the length of your treatment, previous health conditions, and age to get the right services to help with your recovery.

Some treatments include inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, therapy, 12-step facilitation, and detox. You can also find programs targeted to certain demographics like teens and senior citizens.  

Here are some rehab facilities in New Mexico that offer rehab treatment services:

Rehab centers in New Mexico with the 12-step facilitation treatment

  • Pueblo of Laguna

  • Kewa Family Wellness Center

  • Santa Fe recovery center

  • Duke city recovery toolbox LLC

  • Carlsbad lifehouse Inc

Rehab centers in New Mexico with programs for teens and young adults

Rehab Centers in New Mexico that offer outpatient treatment services

  • Albuquerque behavioral health

  • Counseling World LLC 

  • Duke city recovery toolbox LLC

  • The University of New Mexico hospital

  • Carlsbad lifehouse Inc

New Mexico rehab centers that offer residential treatment services

  • Santa Fe recovery center

  • Carlsbad lifehouse Inc

  • The recovery house

  • Turning point recovery center Inc

  • Iris healing retreat

How do I pay for rehab in New Mexico?

It’s important to consider how you’ll pay for the treatment services you need because it can be easy as stressful, if not more than trying to beat your addiction.

Thankfully there are numerous payment options to help cover the cost of rehab. If you can’t afford to pay in cash, being on an insurance plan can help cover some of the treatment costs. Most rehab facilities in New Mexico accept Medicaid and Medicare in private insurance plans to pay for the treatment. 

Some rehab centers even offer installment payments for patients seeking long-term care. It’s a win-win because the rehab center is getting paid in installments while you get the necessary treatment at the center. 

Government assistance for addiction treatment in New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health works with partners and the community to ensure the health and well-being of all people in New Mexico. 

The New Mexico government is actively fighting to prevent drug and alcohol addiction in the area. They do this through various prevention programs supporting the implementation of treatment services and highlighting useful resources to addict and their family members.

You can reach the New Mexico Health Department at odette.desgeorges@state.nm.us.